Driving in Korea

This is a service only available to U.S. citizens. According to the Korean Driver’s License Agency, if you are staying in Korea for more than 90 days and have registered as a foreigner, you can exchange your U.S. driver’s license for a Korean license with a confirmation issued by the U.S. Embassy. Please note that the U.S. Embassy cannot certify the authenticity of the U.S. license. However, if you have a valid, unexpired U.S. driver’s license, you may get a notarized affidavit.  

Please make an appointment to appear at the Embassy with your valid U.S. driver’s license, U.S. passport and fee $50.

For more information on how to obtain a Korean driver’s license, please visit the Korean Driver’s License Agency’s website. For a sample affidavit, please click here.(PDF-118.2KB)

International Driving Permits

Although many countries do not recognize U.S. driver's licenses, most countries accept an International Driving Permit (IDP). An IDP functions as an official translation of a U.S. driver's license into 10 foreign languages.

How to Apply for an International Driving Permit

You can obtain an IDP at one of the two automobile associations authorized by the U.S. Department of State:

• AAA (American Automobile Association)
• National Automobile Club 

Please also review the Embassy's web pages on traffic laws under "Legal Problems Encountered by American Citizens in Korea," the Traffic Safety and Road Conditions section of the Consular Information Sheet on South Korea, and Road Safety Overseas.

For American Citizen Services (ACS) general inquiries, please e-mail us at seoulinfo@state.gov.

If you are an American citizen facing an emergency, please call us at +82-(0)2-397-4114.  If you have access to DSN, please call 721-4114.

For American Citizen Services (ACS) inquiries, please e-mail us at seoulinfo@state.gov.

Updated: January 31, 2012