Can foreigners drive in Korea?

Yes. With a valid International Driving Permit or a recognized foreign license, you can drive for one year from the day you enter Korea.

Yes
Source: Road Traffic Act Art. 96(1) · Easy Law (Ministry of Government Legislation)Open the official source ↗
Checked Nov 2, 2026Re-check due Jan 31, 2027Sources: Easy Law, Ministry of Government Legislation

The one-year rule

A person who holds an international driving permit or a mutually recognized foreign license may drive in Korea for one year from the day of entry. You may drive the vehicle types written on the permit.

Our summary of Article 96(1) of the Road Traffic Act as Easy Law explains it.

Which permits count

  • An international driving permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic.
  • An international driving permit issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.
  • A permit or foreign license recognized under an agreement between Korea and another country.

Easy Law gives the United States, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, France and the United Kingdom as examples of countries whose permits qualify. Its page also lists the Geneva Convention countries. We did not copy the lists, so check your country on the page.

Carry it with you

While you drive you must carry your license or international permit, and show it when a police officer asks (Road Traffic Act Art. 92). Easy Law lists the international permit and the recognized foreign license among the documents that count.

When you can be stopped from driving

Easy Law says a foreign driver can be prohibited from driving on an international permit in some cases. Its examples are not taking a required aptitude test, failing that test, or causing a traffic accident on purpose or through negligence.

What we did not cover

Swapping a foreign license for a Korean one. Easy Law covers that in a different section, which we have not read.

Renting a car, insurance and local traffic rules.

Ask the Korea Road Traffic Authority about your own license.

Common questions

Does the one year restart if I leave Korea and come back?

The rule counts from the day you enter Korea. Easy Law does not say what happens when you leave and enter again, so ask the Korea Road Traffic Authority.

Is my home license enough on its own?

Only if your country has an agreement with Korea that recognizes the license itself. Otherwise Easy Law describes an international driving permit. Its page lists the countries involved.

Do I have to carry the permit while driving?

Yes. Easy Law says drivers must carry their license, international permit or recognized foreign license and show it when a police officer asks.

Can I be banned from driving on a foreign permit?

Yes, in some cases. Easy Law gives not taking or failing a required aptitude test, and causing an accident on purpose or through negligence, as examples.

Sources

  1. Easy Law, Ministry of Government Legislation: driving in Korea with a foreign permit (read Nov 2, 2026). The one-year rule and the permit types are from this page.
  2. Easy Law: duty to carry the license (Road Traffic Act Art. 92).

Next questions

Not legal advice. Rules change, so check the official source before you act. Found a mistake? Tell us and we will correct it and update the date.

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