International Driving Permit for South Korea

Do you need an IDP to drive in South Korea?

Visitors may drive on a valid IDP for up to one year; carry it with your national licence and passport. An International Driving Permit is an official translation of your national driver's licence into multiple languages — it never replaces your home licence, so always carry both, along with your passport.

What to carry when driving in South Korea

• Your valid national driver's licence
• Your International Driving Permit (IDP)
• Your passport and rental documents

How to get your IDP for South Korea

You don't need to visit an office. Get your International Driving Permit online with International DL in minutes — we translate your licence into the official UN-convention languages and issue your IDP digitally, ready before you fly.

Which permit South Korea recognises

South Korea is party to both the 1949 Geneva and the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, so an International Driving Permit issued under either treaty is recognised there.

Treaty status per the United Nations treaty depositary: 1949 Geneva Convention · 1968 Vienna Convention

Driving on the Right-hand side in South Korea

South Korea drives on the RIGHT. If you normally drive on the left, allow time to adjust — roundabouts, junctions and overtaking all run the opposite way, and most rental cars will have the gear shift on your right.

The legal minimum driving age in South Korea is 18. Rental companies routinely set their own, higher minimum and often add a young-driver surcharge below 25.