How to Get a Driver's License in Korea

Sometimes when you're new to a country a task like getting your driver's license can make you feel like you're 16 years old again trying to pass your driver's test. Here's an overview of the process of getting your driver's license in Korea.

In South Korea, foreigners who hold a valid driver's license from their home country can drive for one year from their date of entry. However, they must also have an International Driving Permit (IDP) that is issued by a country that is a member of the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. The IDP must be carried along with the original driver's license at all times while driving.

After one year, foreigners must obtain a Korean driver's license. To do this, they must pass a written test, a practical driving test, and a physical examination. The written test is available in multiple languages including English, Chinese, and Japanese. The practical driving test can be taken in a personal vehicle or a vehicle provided by the testing center.

Foreigners who have a driver's license from a country that has a driver's license exchange agreement with Korea can exchange their foreign driver's license for a Korean one without taking the written or practical tests. They will only need to pass the physical examination.

There are no different requirements based on the city, state, or region in which a foreigner lives in Korea. The requirements are the same throughout the country.

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