Exchanging a US or UK driver's license in Korea: what do I need?

If you hold an alien registration card and a valid, full license from the United States, the United Kingdom or another English-speaking country, you can usually trade it for a Korean license without a road test. You go in person to a driver's license test center (운전면허시험장) run by the Korea Road Traffic Authority (도로교통공단, KoROAD), hand over the original card with proof that you lived where it was issued, pass a short eyesight check, and leave with a Class 2 Ordinary license (2종 보통). For Americans the deciding factor is the state on the card: some state licenses need only the eye check, others also a written test.

Who can apply, and where?

• Only a valid, full license counts. Learner permits, temporary paper licenses and provisional licenses are refused.
• The stay must show in your passport. Officers check the stamps to confirm you lived in that country or state while holding the license.
• Nobody can go for you. The application is made in person.
• Any center works. Search 운전면허시험장 in Kakao Map.
• Mind the hours. Counters close to applications at 17:00; for a written test, arrive before 16:00.

Only a handful of countries with special agreements can get classes other than Class 2 Ordinary.

Is my US state or UK license recognized?

For US licenses, recognition is decided state by state, because each state issues its own card. The lists below come from a community guide for foreigners (seoulstart.com, 2025). They are partial and can change.

One detail comes from KoROAD itself: Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Nevada are mutual-recognition states, yet their holders must still pass the written test. So an Oregon license looks "recognized" in the guide but still leads to an exam. If your state is on neither list, check KoROAD's current list or ask the center.

United Kingdom. The same guide lists the UK as recognized. The UK government also publishes "Notification of UK drivers licences in South Korea" on gov.uk. Read it, and any DVLA paperwork it points to, before you book a visit.

Philippines. Listed as recognized "subject to conditions". Ask the center which conditions apply to you.

Other countries. For Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa or anywhere else, check KoROAD's list, since it decides the test and the cost.

Which papers go in the folder?

Keep everything loose. Do not staple or bind anything.

Notes from practice:

1. Americans typically request the apostille from the issuing state's Secretary of State office. Some have used a US Embassy confirmation instead, but whether that service is offered changes, so check the embassy's current notices. 2. The entry and exit certificate is cheap; applicants mention around 2,000 won. If Korean is a hurdle, show the clerk the document's Korean title on your phone. 3. If your name or birth date differs between two papers, bring extra proof, such as an embassy letter. 4. Bring photocopies of everything in case staff ask for more.

Will there be a test?

• License from a recognized country or state. Only the aptitude and physical check (적성검사, 신체검사), which is essentially an eye test. Guides give the Class 2 standard as roughly 0.5 with both eyes open; glasses are fine. The Mungyeong, Gangneung, Taebaek, Gwangyang, Chungju and Chuncheon centers have no on-site check, so bring a hospital result there.
• License that is not recognized, or one of the four states above. The same check plus a written test (학과시험): 40 multiple-choice questions, available in Korean, English, Chinese or Vietnamese. You must pass it before the Class 2 card is issued. KoROAD publishes study material.

What are the fees?

With a recognized license, budget about 17,000 to 22,000 won depending on the card; add 10,000 won for the written test. Blogs quoting 16,000 won may be outdated, so confirm at the center. The state's apostille fee is separate.

Can I get my US license back later?

The center keeps the original. You may reclaim it within 10 years of the exchange, usually when you leave Korea; after that it is destroyed. Staff generally want to see your passport and proof of departure, such as a flight ticket, though this varies between centers. Photograph both sides before handing it over, and plan ahead if you need to drive on a trip home.

When does the Korean license need renewing?

The renewal period is printed on the card. Since 1 January 2026, the usual window is built around your birthday in the renewal year, opening 6 months before it and closing 6 months after. Older cards may follow transition rules, so check your dates on the Safe Driving integrated service site (safedriving.or.kr).

Class 2 Ordinary holders under 70 renew without a physical exam. Bring:

• the Korean license;
• your alien registration card, and your passport just in case;
• one photo, 3.5 × 4.5 cm, no older than 6 months.

It costs 10,000 won for a standard card or 15,000 won for a mobile IC card. Class 1 Ordinary holders instead take an aptitude test with a physical check (16,000 or 21,000 won).

Miss the window and a fine (과태료) follows; a long delay can put the license itself at risk.

Can I keep driving on my US license or an international permit?

Only for a limited time. An International Driving Permit is valid for a set period after you arrive, generally 1 year. Driving after that, or on a US or other foreign card that was never exchanged, may be treated as unlicensed driving (무면허운전) under the Road Traffic Act (도로교통법). That is a criminal offence, and the record can surface when immigration reviews your stay. If you are already in a traffic case (a crash, drink-driving or unlicensed driving), speak to a lawyer before giving any statement.

Next step

Check your state or country against KoROAD's list, order the apostille early, then gather the six documents above and make sure names and dates match across them. If you are facing a police case over an accident or driving without a valid license, contact us early. Consultations are paid; when you contact us, a staff member will call you back and explain the fee.

법무법인 대한중앙
1533-7377

Rules applied

Road Traffic Act (도로교통법): exchange of a foreign license, renewal periods, use of an International Driving Permit, and unlicensed driving. Documents, hours, fees and the recognized-country list follow the Korea Road Traffic Authority's published guidance and may change; the US state lists come from a community guide.

This is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different.