Okay, so, I’ve been wanting to get a Korean driving license for a while now. I mean, who wouldn’t want to cruise around Seoul in style, right? But the whole process seemed kinda daunting, especially since I already have a license from back home. Anyway, I finally decided to take the plunge and figure this whole thing out.
First things first, I started digging around online, trying to find any info I could about getting a Korean license as a foreigner. Turns out, it’s not as simple as just handing over your old license. There are a bunch of steps involved, and it all depends on whether your country has a special agreement with Korea or not.
Since my country’s license is acknowledged, I got lucky. I learned that I just had to visit a KoRoad Driver’s License Examination Office, didn’t have to take the written or road test. But I have to make an appointment first.

- So I picked up the phone, booked an appointment with the licensing office.
- Printed all the application forms and filled them out. It was like a small mountain of paperwork, but hey, gotta do what you gotta do.
- Next up, a health check. I found a nearby clinic that does these for driving licenses, got that done, and got the stamp of approval.
- Prepared all the documents they asked for: my foreign driver’s license, my passport, my Alien Registration Card (ARC), and some passport-sized photos.
On the day of the appointment, I gathered all my documents, made sure I had everything, and headed to the licensing office. I was a bit nervous, but the staff there were surprisingly helpful. They guided me through the process, checked my documents, and I paid the application fee.
After that, it was a waiting game. They said it would take a few days to process everything. Finally, I got a call saying my license was ready! I went back to the office, picked it up, and boom, I was officially a licensed driver in Korea!
Honestly, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Sure, there were a few hoops to jump through, but it was totally worth it. Now, I can legally drive here, explore more of the country, and not have to rely on public transportation all the time. It’s a pretty sweet feeling.
A little tip:
If you are planning to do this, make sure you do your research beforehand, check which documents you need, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. The staff at the licensing offices are usually pretty helpful, even if there’s a bit of a language barrier.