Foreign Driver’s Licenses Recognized in Korea: Which Countries Are Included?
Are you curious about whether you can drive in Korea with a driver’s license obtained abroad? Or do you want to drive abroad with a Korean driver’s license? Korea has mutual recognition agreements for driver’s licenses with specific countries based on reciprocity. According to this agreement, countries with foreign driver’s licenses recognized in Korea are determined, and if you have a license from that country, you can exchange it for a domestic license without a separate test.
What is Mutual License Recognition?
Mutual license recognition refers to an agreement where two countries recognize each other’s driver’s licenses. This is a system that simplifies complex testing procedures when foreign driver’s license holders drive in Korea or domestic license holders drive in that country. Korea currently has such mutual recognition agreements with several countries, which is a very useful system for foreigners visiting Korea or Korean citizens who have returned from abroad.
Countries Issuing Foreign Driver’s Licenses Recognized in Korea
Countries with which Korea has driver’s license mutual recognition agreements are as follows. Driver’s licenses from these countries can be exchanged for domestic Korean driver’s licenses.
- Asia: Japan, Taiwan
- Europe: United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Greece, Luxembourg, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus, Malta
- North America: United States (varies by state), Canada (varies by province)
- Oceania: Australia (varies by state), New Zealand
- Others: Israel, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Russia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, San Marino, Vatican City, Monaco, Andorra, Dominican Republic, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Venezuela, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Belize, Suriname, Guyana, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Commonwealth of Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, Mexico, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Brunei, East Timor, Palau, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji
Precautions:
- United States, Canada, Australia: Since these countries are federal nations, the driver’s license recognition scope or exchange procedures may differ by state or province. It’s essential to check with the relevant authorities in the state you plan to visit.
- International Driving Permit: The International Driving Permit is a separate concept from the mutual recognition with the countries mentioned above. International Driving Permits are issued according to the Geneva Convention and have a short validity period (usually 1 year) and are not valid in all countries. When driving in Korea, you need an International Driving Permit issued in Korea or a domestic Korean driver’s license.
How to Exchange Foreign Driver’s License for Domestic License (Exchange Procedure)
The procedure for exchanging a driver’s license obtained abroad for a Korean driver’s license is simpler than you think. However, since some preparations and procedures are necessary, it’s important to check and prepare in advance.
Step 1: Check License Exchange Eligibility and Required Documents
The first thing to do is check whether your foreign driver’s license is from a country recognized in Korea and what documents are needed for exchange.
Confirmation Items:
- Check if the foreign driver’s license you hold was issued in a country covered by the mutual recognition agreement. (Refer to the list above)
- Check the latest exchange procedures and required documents on the Korea Road Traffic Authority or National Police Agency website of the license-issuing country. (Information may change, so you must check the latest information.)
Basic Required Documents (may vary by country and situation):
- Original Foreign Driver’s License: Must have remaining validity period
- Passport: Required for identity verification and overseas stay verification
- Domestic Driver’s License (if held): If you previously had a domestic license, you may need to bring it
- Driver’s License Translation and Notarization: If not an English-language license, it must be translated into Korean and notarized. (Embassy, notary office, etc.)
- ID: ID that allows identity verification such as resident registration card, passport
- Photos: 2 ID photos taken within the last 6 months (3.5cm x 4.5cm)
- Fee: License exchange fee (approximately 8,000-10,000 KRW expected)
- Other Documents: Depending on the case, documents proving stay in the country that issued the foreign driver’s license (e.g., entry/exit certificate) may be required
Step 2: Visit Driver’s License Examination Center and Apply
Once you have prepared all necessary documents, visit the nearest driver’s license examination center to apply for license exchange.
Pre-Visit Reservation: Some driver’s license examination centers may operate an advance reservation system. It’s good to check by phone or online whether reservations are possible before visiting.
Application Procedure:
- Visit the driver’s license examination center civil affairs office and fill out a foreign driver’s license exchange application form
- Submit prepared documents and undergo a physical examination following staff guidance (basic tests such as vision)
- After passing the physical examination, have submitted documents and license reviewed
- Pay the license issuance fee
- Once all procedures are complete, a Korean driver’s license will be issued within approximately 1-2 weeks. (Issuance time may vary by examination center and situation.)
Step 3: Receive Domestic Driver’s License
Once the license exchange application is complete, you can receive the issued Korean driver’s license at the driver’s license examination center on the designated date.
Receipt Method: It’s common to receive it in person. Whether proxy receipt is possible should be inquired at the driver’s license examination center you visit.
Precautions:
- License Validity Period: The validity period of the license obtained abroad must remain. Expired licenses cannot be exchanged.
- Translation and Notarization: If not an English-language license, you must prepare a notarized translation. Since the notarization process may take some time, it’s good to prepare in advance.
- State-Specific Regulations: For licenses from federal countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, you must check the regulations of that state. Some states may not be covered by mutual recognition agreements with Korea or may require additional documents.
- Actual Driving Experience: While theoretically possible to exchange with a license from a mutual recognition country, if you lack actual driving experience or are unfamiliar with Korean traffic laws, you may consider receiving additional training for safety.
International Driving Permit vs. Foreign License Exchange: What’s the Difference?
Many people confuse International Driving Permits with foreign driver’s license exchanges. The two have clear differences, and the methods for driving in Korea are also different.
International Driving Permit
- Issuance Target: A certificate issued for Korean driver’s license holders to drive abroad
- Validity Period: Usually 1 year from the date of issuance (may vary by country and convention)
- Effect: Has the effect of allowing driving abroad according to international conventions such as the Geneva Convention and Vienna Convention. However, it’s not recognized in all countries, and its effect may be limited according to that country’s laws
- Effect in Korea: You cannot drive in Korea with an International Driving Permit. You need a Korean driver’s license to drive in Korea
Foreign Driver’s License Exchange
- Issuance Target: A procedure for foreigners or Koreans returning from abroad who hold foreign driver’s licenses recognized in Korea to exchange for domestic driver’s licenses
- Validity Period: Has the same validity period as a domestic driver’s license
- Effect: Obtaining a domestic driver’s license that allows legal driving in Korea
- Required Procedure: License is exchanged through document review and physical examination without a separate driving test
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. I obtained my driver’s license in California, USA. Can I drive immediately in Korea with my license? A1. The United States has different driver’s license regulations by state, and there is currently no driver’s license mutual recognition agreement between Korea and California. Therefore, you cannot drive immediately in Korea with a California driver’s license and must take the Korean driver’s license test.
Q2. I have a driver’s license obtained in Japan. What documents are needed for license exchange in Korea? A2. Japanese driver’s licenses have a mutual recognition agreement with Korea, so license exchange is possible. Generally, you need the original Japanese driver’s license, passport, license translation (Japanese → Korean, notarization required), ID, 2 ID photos, fee, etc. However, since information may change, please check the latest information at your local driver’s license examination center before visiting.
Q3. I exchanged a license obtained abroad for a domestic license. What is the validity period? A3. Korean driver’s licenses issued by exchanging foreign driver’s licenses follow the same validity period as regular Korean driver’s licenses. The validity period is specified on the back of the license, so check it and proceed with renewal procedures before the period expires.
Q4. How long does the foreign driver’s license exchange procedure take? A4. From document preparation to visiting the driver’s license examination center, physical examination, and license issuance, it generally takes about 1-2 weeks. Since translation and notarization procedures may take more time, it’s good to prepare in advance.
Conclusion
If you hold a license from a country with foreign driver’s licenses recognized in Korea, you can exchange it for a Korean driver’s license relatively easily without complex testing procedures. This is a very useful system for those with overseas driving experience.
Key Summary:
- Check Recognized Countries: You must check whether your foreign driver’s license was issued in a country covered by Korea’s mutual recognition agreement
- Prepare Documents: Carefully prepare necessary documents such as original license, passport, translation and notarization, photos
- Visit Driver’s License Examination Center: Visit the nearest driver’s license examination center with prepared documents and proceed with the application
Action Steps:
- Check right now whether the country that issued your foreign driver’s license is recognized in Korea
- Accurately identify the list of required documents and start preparation in advance if translation and notarization are needed
- Check the operating hours and reservation requirements of the driver’s license examination center you’ll visit and plan your visit
We hope you naturally connect your overseas driving experience to driving in Korea to enjoy a more convenient and safe driving life.
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