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Driver’s License in Korea
Driver's License
Holders of an International Driving Permit
* Foreigners who have a driver’s license issued in their countries can drive in Korea with an International Driving Permit (IDP) for one year. In this case, one’s driver’s license issued in his/her country shall be a valid one.
* Once a foreigner has obtained an Alien Registration Card in Korea, which means he/she is a legal resident of Korea, it is strongly advisable to convert his/her driver’s license to a Korean driver’s license, since the purpose of the International Driving Permit is to allow people to drive in foreign countries where they are not residing.
※ Driver’s license test for foreigners
• Bring your country’s driver’s license.
• You can take a test in English, Chinese, Japanese, German, or French. The test is multiple choice and has 20 questions.
• Test preparation books can be purchased in English or Chinese at Driver ’s License Examination Offices.
• Refer to the homepage of the Driver’s License Agency < www.dla.go.kr > for test details in Japanese, German, or French.
Converting another country’s driver’s license
Foreigners who have the driver's license issued by authorized foreign agencies shall change his/her driver’s licenses to Korean driver’s licenses for driving in Korea.
• Required documents
- A driver’s license issued in the country of the driver’s nationality, passport or alien registration card, seal (signature is possible), and three photos (3×4 inches).
- The passport must prove that the person was in his or her country whe nhe/she obtained the driver’s license.
- Notary of a translation (except for English) of the person’s driver’s license issued in his or her own country and an Embassy confirmation letter (not needed for those who got his or her driver’s license in the U.S., England, France, Canada, Germany, Japan, and Spain.)
- When a person’s driver’s license does not indicate the issuance date, a certification letter indicating the issuing date of the driver’s license is needed.
• Fees
- Application fee: 5,000 won
- Physical examination: 5,000 won
※ A Korean who has a foreign nationality should have proof of a residency card.
A Korean who has a legal resident card of a foreign country should have proof of the residency card showing his or her Korean nationality, or an overseas Korean residency card.
These documents must be presented in person, not through an agent.
Acquiring a Korean license for those with no valid license
(Procedures are the same for Korean applicants)
• Qualifications: Lived in Korea for more than 6 months
• Application/Issuance: At 26 driver’s license test sites across the country
• Test languages: English, French, German, Japanese and Chinese
• Application fee: 4,000 won Physical examination fee: 5,000won
• Expiration date: 7 years (For holders of Class I driver’s license 65 years of age or older, renewal is mandatory every 5 years.)
• Required documents: Passport or alien registration card and four photos
※ By undergoing a physical at a hospital registered with the Driver’s License Agency, an agent may apply for a Korean driver’s license on your behalf by presenting the form attached to the results of the physical test.
Reissuance of a lost driver’s license
• Reissuance: At 26 driver’s license test sites across the country or the License Section of the National Police Station
• Duplicates
- Damaged license: Submit the damaged license when applying.
- Lost license: Report it and apply for a new license at the same time.
※ Driver’s license duplicate: May be obtained on the same day at the Driver ’s License Agency and within 20 days when applying for a duplicate at the police station.
• Required documents:
- Duplicating a lost driver’s license
• Alien registration card and passport picture for application
• Picture required when applying for a temporary driver’s license at the police station
• Alien registration card, passport, or public official card required when picking up the license
- Duplicating a damaged driver’s license
• ID card and a passport picture required for application
• ID card, passport, or public official card required when picking up the license
• Fee: 5,000 won
※ When applying for a temporary driver’s license at a police station, you can drive for 20 days from the issuance date.
※ When you apply for a driver’s license through an agent, your agent should bring your ID card as well as his or her ID card.
※ Reporting address change: When drivers change their place of residence, they should take their driver’s license to their gu office so the change can be recorded.
Driver’s license test sites
English translation service is available only at the Driver’s License Agency in Seoul.
< Driver’s License Examination Offices >
Driver’s License Agency
Tel. 02-374-0393~5 Fax. 02-374-0080
Gangnam
Tel. 02-555-0831 Fax. 02-561-6029
Dobong
Tel. 02-934-7000 Fax. 02-938-9187
Gangseo
Tel. 02-666-4500 Fax. 02-666-9036
Seobu
Tel. 02-374-6811 Fax. 02-374-6344
Incheon
Tel. 032-811-0518 Fax. 032-822-5118
Yongin
Tel. 031-282-7714 Fax. 031-282-7713
Ansan
Tel. 031-486-4002 Fax. 031-486-4007
Uijeongbu
Tel. 031-847-4141 Fax. 031-847-6336
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