How can I exchange a foreign driver's license for a Korean driver's license in Korea?
Guide on exchanging a foreign driver’s license for a Korean license, outlining required documents, application steps, and locations for health checks and exams. It includes fee information, processing times, and eligibility details to assist foreign residents in Korea.
Types of Driver’s Licenses in Korea
Please note that foreign driver's license exchange is limited only to Class 2 General.
- Class 1 Large: For large vehicles such as buses and trucks.
- Class 1 Special: For specialized vehicles like large towing trucks, small towing trucks, and recovery vehicles.
- Class 1 General: For general vehicles with 15 seats or less (manual and automatic).
- Class 2 General: For smaller general vehicles with 9 seats or less, available in automatic and manual versions.
- Class 2 Small: For smaller vehicles or specialized smaller categories.
- Class 2 Motorized Bicycle: For motorized bicycles only.
Application Process
- Document Submission
Submit the required documents, such as embassy certification or Apostille, for review.
- Health Check and Written Exam
- Written exams are waived for applicants from countries that recognize the Korean driver’s license.
- Written exam passing criterion: 70 points or higher for Class 1 and 60 points or higher for Class 2.
- Languages available for the exam: Korean, English, Chinese, and Vietnamese.
Take a health check (physical examination) and a written exam if applicable.
- Issuance of Korean License
Upon successful review of the documents and passing of the required tests, a Korean license will be issued.
Note: If documents are incomplete during the review process, additional documentation may be requested.
Country Recognizing Korean Driver’s License
Asia | South Korea, New Zealand, Laos, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Australia, India, Japan, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Macao
(Agreement Countries: Taiwan, Vietnam) |
America | Guatemala, Dominican Republic, United States, Barbados, Venezuela, Argentina, Haiti, Ecuador, Jamaica, Chile, Canada, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Paraguay, Peru |
Europe | Vatican City, Greece, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Russia, Romania, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Montenegro, Malta, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, San Marino, Serbia, Sweden, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Iceland, Ireland, Albania, United Kingdom, Austria, Italy, Georgia, Czech Republic, Croatia, Turkey, Portugal, Poland, France, Finland, Hungary, Estonia |
Middle
East and Africa | Ghana, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Niger, Lebanon, Lesotho, Rwanda, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Syria, Sierra Leone, United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Jordan, Uganda, Israel, Egypt, Central African Republic, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Togo, Tunisia |
Documents Required
A. Countries Recognizing Korean Driver’s License
For Foreigners and Foreign Citizens:
- Original foreign driver’s license
- Original passport (must include entry and exit stamps to verify travel history)
- Original Alien Registration Certificate (or domestic residence report for Korean nationals)
- Three color photos (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm, taken within the last 6 months)
- Embassy certification of the driver’s license or Apostille
- Certificate of entry and exit history (from birth to the present)
- Fees: Mobile IC (Korean/English) 15,000 KRW, Standard (Korean/English) 10,000 KRW
B. Countries Not Recognizing Korean Driver’s License
For Foreigners and Foreign Citizens:
- Original foreign driver’s license
- Original passport (with entry and exit stamps verifying travel history)
- Original Alien Registration Certificate (or domestic residence report)
- Three color photos (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm, taken within the last 6 months)
- Embassy certification of the driver’s license or Apostille
- Certificate of entry and exit history (from birth to the present)
- Written exam fee: 10,000 KRW
- License issuance fee: Mobile IC (Korean/English) 15,000 KRW, Standard (Korean/English) 10,000 KRW
Important Notes
- Driver’s License Examination Office: Check the location of examination offices here.
- License Type: Only full licenses (valid licenses with remaining validity) can be exchanged. Temporary, learner, provisional, probationary permits, or certificates cannot be exchanged for a Korean license.
- Embassy or Apostille Certification: Must be issued within 1 year of the application date and confirm the authenticity of the foreign license.
- Health Check: Physical exams are required and conducted at driver’s license test centers. The fee is 7,000 KRW for large/special licenses and 6,000 KRW for others.
Test centers without health check facilities include Mungyeong, Gangneung, Taebaek, Gwangyang, Chungju, and Chuncheon. Applicants should visit a nearby hospital.
- Processing Time: Exchanging a foreign license can take time, so it is recommended to apply at least 1 hour before closing (17:00). If a written exam is required, visit by 16:00.
- Getting Foreign Driver’s License Back: When exchanging a foreign driver’s license for a Korean driver’s license, the driver’s license center will retain your home country’s license. However, you can retrieve it under the following conditions:
- If you bring a flight itinerary showing a departure from Korea (for any country), the officer will return your home country’s license to you.
- After returning to Korea, you do not need to return your home country’s license to the center. You are allowed to keep both licenses.
Source: KOROAD
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