🚘 How Foreigners Can Exchange or Obtain a Korean Driver’s License
(Requirements / Documents / Process / Checklist)
Yes — foreigners can drive in Korea.
You have 2 options:
| Situation | Best Method |
| Already have a valid foreign license | ✅ Exchange to Korean license (no driving test required in many cases) |
| No license / expired license | ✅ Apply for a new license and take tests |
✅ OPTION 1 — Exchange your foreign driver’s license
➡️ Fastest & easiest method (no driving test for many countries)
✅ Requirements
You can exchange your home country license to a Korean one if:
- Your country has a reciprocal agreement with Korea
- You have a valid ARC (Alien Registration Card)
- You can prove validity (not expired)
✅ Documents needed (bring all)
| Required Document | Details |
| 🪪 ARC (Alien Registration Card) | Must show expiration date |
| 🛂 Passport | Identification |
| 🪪 Foreign driver’s license | Must be valid |
| 📄 Korean translation + notarization | Needed if license is in a non-English language |
| 🧾 Proof of residence (address registered) | Needed for ID verification |
| 📸 3 passport-size photos | For the license printing |
| 💴 Fee (₩10,000 ~ ₩15,000) | Payment at the center |
⚠️ Some countries require proof that the license is real (Embassy certification).
✅ Process (step-by-step)
① Prepare all documents
② Visit the Driver’s License Examination Office (운전면허시험장)
③ Hand documents to the “Foreign License Exchange” counter
④ Take simple vision test (eye test)
⑤ Pay fee and receive Korean license⏱ Total time: 30–60 minutes
If your country qualifies for automatic exchange → No written exam, no driving test.
✅ OPTION 2 — Apply for a brand-new Korean driver’s license
➡️ If you don’t have any driver’s license from your home country
✅ Required documents
| Required | Details |
| ARC (Alien Registration Card) | Must be valid |
| Passport | ID |
| 3 photos | Standard size |
| Exam fee | Written + driving test fee |
| Application form | Given at the center |
✅ Test steps
① Written test (multiple choice exam)
② Safety education (video + briefing)
③ Driving course test
④ Road test (real driving)
⑤ License issuedThe written test is available in multiple languages (English, Chinese, Vietnamese, etc.)
🧠 Written test info (if you do not exchange)
- 40 questions
- Multiple choice
- Available in over 10 languages
- Practice questions available at the driving test office
Most foreigners pass after studying for 1–2 days.
🩺 Vision test (required for both methods)
| Test | Requirement |
| Vision test | Simple eye check (1 minute) |
| Color blindness | Basic color recognition |
🏛 Where to apply (no reservation required)
You can apply at any Driver’s License Examination Office (운전면허시험장) such as:
- Seoul Gangnam
- Seoul Seobu
- Incheon
- Daejeon
- Busan
(and more)
✅ What to say at the counter (English → Korean)
| Situation | Korean Phrase |
| Exchange foreign license | “외국 운전면허증을 한국 면허로 교환하고 싶습니다.” |
| Apply for a driving test | “운전면허 시험 신청하러 왔습니다.” |
| Ask where to go | “외국인 면허 업무는 어디인가요?” |
Show this on your phone if needed.
✅ Checklist (Save this)
| Task | Done |
| Prepare ARC & passport | ☐ |
| Prepare foreign driver’s license | ☐ |
| Prepare translation/notarization | ☐ |
| Take vision test | ☐ |
| Pay fee & receive license | ☐ |
⚠️ Very important
- Korean license replaces your foreign license temporarily
- You will get your foreign license back when you leave Korea
(show departure ticket at the office)
If you don’t want them to hold your original license, tell them before submitting documents.
🔑 Summary
| Goal | Best Method |
| Already licensed? | ✅ Exchange (fast, no test for many countries) |
| No license? | ✅ Take test in Korea |
Getting a Korean driver’s license gives you more freedom and ID verification ability in Korea.
