Driving in Korea

In her first spring spent in Korea, Jessie plans to visit Jeju Island with Su-hyeon. Because they want to drive throughout the island, they explore driving options in Korea like car rental or sharing. Can Jessie drive in Korea as a non-national?

Jessie: I saw fabulous photos of my friends who visited Jeju Island. How do Koreans usually get around on the island?
Su-hyeon: We use trains, buses or cars. For Jeju-do, I guess renting a car is convenient. But can a foreigner rent one?
Jessie: I think so. I heard from other exchange students that they drove on the island while visiting.
Su-hyeon: OK, I'll call a car rental agency.

(Calling a car rental agency)
Agency staff: Hello. A foreigner can rent a car with the necessary documents. You need an international driving permit issued by a member country of the Geneva or Vienna conventions, as well as your driver's license from your home country and your passport.
Jessie: Great, Germany is a member country.
Agency staffer: You need to have been in Korea for under a year and pay with a card in your name.
Su-hyeon: Does it have to be a credit card?
Agency staffer: Yes, our agency accepts only credit cards. Others accept check cards, and on Jejudo Island, certain agencies seem not to require a card as collateral.
Su-hyeon: Yes, thank you. Is there anything else I need?
Agency staffer: Yes, please make sure you have an international driving permit because we don't accept an international driver's license.


Jessie: We're lucky that we didn't have a problem renting a car. But, I guess many Koreans use car sharing services, right? That would be convenient as well. How about calling a car sharing agency?
Su-hyeon: Sure.
Car sharing agency staff: Hello. Sorry, but you need a Korean driver's license to use our car sharing service.
Jessie: OK, I see.
Su-hyeon: It seems foreigners aren't eligible for car sharing as it's not a face-to-face service. Certain car sharing companies in Korea, however, allow foreign residents to use their services if they have both Korean and international driver’s licenses whose combined validity period is more than a year.
Jessie: OK then, what if I change my international driving permit to a Korean driver's license?
Su-hyeon: That's fine if you plan on staying in Korea for more than a year because the permit is valid for only one year after the date of your arrival. Let's contact the Seoul Global Center and the Korea Road Traffic Authority. 


KRA staff: Do you have an alien registration card? If you've been in Korea for more than 90 days, you can change your driver's license into a Korean one, and we will hold your license from your home country. When you show us a flight ticket back to your country, you can exchange your Korean license for your original one.
Su-hyeon: Ah, thank you. Can you briefly explain the procedure?
KRA staff: You need to visit your country's embassy in Korea to receive a certificate of your German license. Then you need to go to the immigration office to receive your immigration and departure certificate. After that, go to a Seoul Global Center or the nearest testing center for a driver's license to submit your application for the driver's license exchange. A health checkup at a designated hospital is also needed. Finally, go to the testing center again to receive your Korean license.
Jessie: Ah, so that means no need to take a test, right?
KRA staff: Yes, because Germany is on the list of countries whose driver's licenses are recognized for exchange by Korea. If you have a driver's license from a country not on this list, you need to take the written exam.
Su-hyeon: It sounds a bit complicated but short. Make sure to bring your passport, German driver's license and international driving permit, as they're required.


Jessie: Can I take the exam to get a Korean driver's license?
KRA staff: Sure. You'll undergo the same procedure whether you're Korean or not. The written exam is offered in Korean, English, Chinese or Vietnamese.
Su-hyeon: So foreigners can drive in Korea if they're qualified.
Jessie: Right. We can rent a car on JejuI Island. (Laughter) I should do that more often when traveling. How exciting!
Su-hyeon: You need to know if Korea has traffic rules different from Germany's. Please take extra precautions because you're not yet familiar with driving here.
Jessie: Yep, yep. I'm so excited about the Jeju trip!

Written by Min Yea-Ji
Translated by Yoon Sojung
Illustrated by Yuhaill
jesimin@korea.kr