Hey there, y’all. Let’s talk about gettin’ yourself a Korean drivin’ license. Now, I ain’t no fancy city slicker, so I’m gonna tell it to ya straight, just like it is.

First off, if you’re just visitin’ Korea for a bit, like a short spell, you don’t gotta worry none ’bout gettin’ a Korean license right away. You can use your own license from back home, long as it’s one of them international ones. But make sure it’s the right kind, the one they call “Geneva Convention” – sounds fancy, huh? Get that paper afore you even set foot on Korean soil.
Now, if you’re plannin’ on stayin’ a while, like more than a year, then things get a bit different. You gotta get yourself a Korean license then. No way around it. And that means takin’ some tests.
- First, there’s a writin’ test. Don’t worry, it ain’t like them big college exams or nothin’. Just gotta know your road signs and rules.
- Then, there’s a drivin’ test. You know, showin’ ’em you can actually handle a car without wreckin’ it.
Some folks say you gotta go to some fancy drivin’ school, but that ain’t necessarily true. If you know your stuff, you can just go take the tests. But lots of folks, even them Koreans, they like to take a little course beforehand, just to be sure. Three days, they say, is all it takes. Heck, back in my day, we just learned by doin’!
Now, if you’re lucky enough to come from a country that’s buddy-buddy with Korea, things might be a bit easier. They got agreements with a bunch of countries, somethin’ like 130 of ’em. If your country’s on that list, you might be able to just swap your license for a Korean one. But you still gotta prove your license is real, get some papers signed and maybe take a little test to see if you ain’t a danger on the roads. They call that an “aptitude” test, sounds highfalutin’ if you ask me.
The writin’ test, it’s got 40 questions, all them multiple-choice kind. Gotta get at least 32 right to pass. And it ain’t free, mind you. Costs a bit of money, somethin’ like 8,000 won, or maybe 10,000 if you want your license in English. Plus a little extra somethin’, another 10 won or so. Don’t ask me what for, they always find a way to charge you extra, them city folks.
So, to recap, short stay, use your international license. Long stay, gotta get a Korean one. Take the tests, or maybe swap your license if you’re lucky. And don’t forget to bring some cash, ’cause nothin’ in this world is free, not even drivin’ a car.
Now, I ain’t no expert, but that’s the gist of it. Just remember to drive safe, follow the rules, and don’t go causin’ no trouble on them Korean roads. They drive on the other side of the road over there, you know. Might take some gettin’ used to.
And one more thing, they got these cameras everywhere, watchin’ your every move. So, no speedin’ or runnin’ red lights, y’hear? They’ll catch ya for sure, and then you’ll be payin’ a fine. And nobody wants that.
Alright, that’s all I got to say about gettin’ a Korean drivin’ license. Hope it helps y’all out. Now go on and get yourself behind the wheel, but be careful out there!
Remember, drivin’ a car is a privilege, not a right. So be respectful, be responsible, and be safe. And don’t forget to enjoy the ride! Korea’s a beautiful country, lots to see and do. Just make sure you get there in one piece.

That’s all for now, folks. Stay safe and happy drivin’!
Tags: Korean Driving License, International Driving Permit, Driving in Korea, Driving Test Korea, License Exchange Korea, Korean Road Rules, Get a Driver License, Korea Transportation