I have a valid driver's license from my home country and I want to drive in Korea?
I have a valid driver's license from my home country and I want to drive in Korea. Can I convert it to a Korean license, or do I need to take the full driving test? What is the process?
Note: This is an editorial persona question created from common experiences of foreign residents in Korea.
1 Answer
Whether you can convert depends on your home country's agreement with Korea. If your country has a license-exchange arrangement, you can swap your foreign license for a Korean one at a driver's license exam office with your license, passport, ARC, a translation or apostille of the license, and photos, sometimes with a simple aptitude test but usually no full driving test. If there's no agreement, you take the Korean written and road tests. An International Driving Permit lets you drive for up to a year but isn't a substitute for residents long-term. Check the exchange list at the Korea Road Traffic Authority (도로교통공단) before going.