Before you drive in Korea
Check the licence route before booking a rental car or buying one. A foreign licence, an international permit and a Korean licence are not interchangeable documents.
By Seemile · Sources checked
Confirm your documents
- Ask the Korea Road Traffic Authority which documents are valid for your nationality and circumstances.
- Check whether a foreign-licence exchange is available and which authentication or tests it requires.
- Do not assume a translated licence by itself creates permission to drive.
Check the vehicle arrangement
- Ask a rental provider about licence, age and driver requirements before paying.
- Read the insurance, excess and permitted-driver conditions.
- If owning a vehicle, check registration, compulsory insurance and inspection obligations.
Plan a safe journey
- Check local traffic rules, parking and the route before departure.
- Use the navigation system without handling a phone while driving.
- If an incident occurs, prioritise safety and contact emergency services or the insurer as appropriate.
A little Korean goes a long way
- 이 면허증으로 운전할 수 있나요? — May I drive with this licence?
- 보험 보장 범위를 설명해 주세요. — Please explain the insurance coverage.
Official information
- My Seoul+ · Driving — Seoul Metropolitan Government
Keep going
Your first Seoul subway journey
The line colour helps, but the direction and exit number do most of the work. Check both before following the crowd.
Taking a bus and keeping the transfer record
In a busy street, buses with the same number can be travelling in opposite directions. Check the stop and direction before boarding.
Choosing and using a transport card
A transport card simplifies daily travel. Check how your chosen card is funded and which services it covers before treating it as a pass for everything.
A taxi trip with less guesswork
Have the exact destination ready in Korean. A building entrance or road-name address is more useful than an English business name that may have several branches.