Getting a Korean driver's license is a practical option if you plan to live and drive in Korea for the long term, especially if you do not have a foreign license that can be exchanged. The process follows a clear sequence: safety education, a physical check, a written test, a practical driving-course test, a learner's permit, an on-road test, and final license issuance.
The Korea Road Traffic Authority (KoROAD) publishes the official acquisition procedure, current test fees, pass scores, required documents, and test languages. Foreign applicants can take the written examination in English, Chinese, or Vietnamese in addition to Korean.
This guide covers the standard Korean license-acquisition route from the beginning. If you already hold a valid foreign driver's license, check Part 3 first because an exchange may be possible and the procedure is different.
- Best for: foreign residents obtaining a Korean driver's license through the standard test process
- What you'll learn: documents, safety education, physical check, written test, course test, learner's permit, road test, fees, and issuance
- Series: Driving in Korea
- Part: 2 of 10
- Official basis: Korea Road Traffic Authority (KoROAD)
Driving in Korea Series Roadmap
Part 2 of 10 · A practical guide to getting licensed, owning a car, and driving safely and confidently in Korea.
Progress: 2/10
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Quick Answer: How Do You Get a Driver's License in Korea?
KoROAD's official process has ten stages: pre-test traffic safety education, physical check-up, written-test registration, written test, practical-test registration, practical course test, learner's permit, on-road-test registration, on-road test, and final license issuance.
2. Complete the physical check-up
3. Register for the written test
4. Pass the written test
5. Register for the practical course test
6. Pass the practical course test
7. Receive a learner's permit
8. Register for the on-road test
9. Pass the on-road test
10. Receive your Korean driver's license
Key Takeaways
- Pre-test traffic safety education is free and must be completed before written-test registration.
- The written test is available in Korean, English, Chinese, and Vietnamese.
- The written-test pass score is 70+ for Class 1 and 60+ for Class 2.
- For Class 1 Ordinary and Class 2 Ordinary, the practical course test requires 80+.
- The on-road test requires 70+.
- A written-test retake is currently available from the next day; practical and on-road retakes are available three days after failure.
- Fees and schedules can change, so confirm the latest KoROAD information before visiting.
1. Choose the Right License Type
KoROAD lists several license categories. For most people who want to drive an ordinary passenger vehicle, the main choices are Class 1 Ordinary and Class 2 Ordinary. Large, special, small-motorcycle, and motorized-bicycle licenses follow different requirements.
| License | Typical choice | Written-test pass score |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 Ordinary | Broader ordinary-vehicle privileges | 70+ |
| Class 2 Ordinary | Common choice for regular passenger-car driving | 60+ |
Choose the class based on the vehicles you actually need to drive. If you only plan to use a normal passenger car, check the current Class 2 Ordinary scope before applying rather than automatically choosing the higher class.
2. Prepare Your Documents
KoROAD lists identification as the basic document for the first stages. For written-test registration, the official procedure requires an application form, identification, and three color photographs taken within the previous six months, sized 3.5 × 4.5 cm.
- Identification accepted by the driver's license examination office
- Three recent 3.5 × 4.5 cm color photographs
- Payment method for test and check-up fees
- Reservation or schedule details if you booked online
- Any additional identity or immigration documents requested for your status
Foreign applicants should confirm the exact identification accepted for their residence status before visiting, because document requirements can differ by individual case.
3. Complete Pre-Test Traffic Safety Education
Pre-test traffic safety education is the first official stage. KoROAD states that it must be completed before written-test registration, and the official acquisition page lists the fee as free.
KoROAD's current schedule notice states that online reservations must be made by the day before the desired session. Applicants should bring identification and arrive 30 minutes before the education time.
4. Complete the Physical Check-Up
KoROAD currently lists the on-site physical-check fee as KRW 7,000 for Class 1 Large/Special and KRW 6,000 for other licenses.
Not every examination office has a physical check-up center. KoROAD specifically notes that Chuncheon, Gangneung, Taebaek, Chungju, Gwangyang, and Mungyeong do not provide the check on site, so applicants using those locations should complete it at a nearby hospital.
5. Register for and Pass the Written Test
The written examination covers traffic rules, signs, road safety, and safe-driving knowledge. KoROAD officially offers the test in Korean, English, Chinese, and Vietnamese.
| Item | Official information |
|---|---|
| Fee | KRW 10,000 for Class 1 / Class 2 |
| Languages | Korean, English, Chinese, Vietnamese |
| Class 1 pass score | 70 or higher |
| Class 2 pass score | 60 or higher |
| If you fail | Retake available from the next day |
How to Prepare Efficiently
Use KoROAD's official question materials when available and focus on road signs, right-of-way rules, safety zones, speed restrictions, accident prevention, and basic vehicle-safety concepts. If you take the test in English, study the English terminology used in official questions rather than translating every concept from another language.
6. Pass the Practical Driving-Course Test
After the written test, the ordinary-license route moves to the practical driving-course test. KoROAD currently lists the fee for Class 1 / Class 2 Ordinary as KRW 25,000 and the pass criterion as 80 points or higher.
The test checks basic vehicle control and required maneuvers in a controlled environment. If you fail, KoROAD currently allows a retake three days after the failure date.
7. Receive the Learner's Permit
Applicants on the ordinary-license route who pass the practical test proceed to the learner's-permit stage. KoROAD currently lists the issuance fee as KRW 4,000.
The learner's permit is an intermediate step toward the on-road examination. It is not the same as a full driver's license.
8. Register for and Pass the On-Road Test
For on-road-test registration, KoROAD requires the application form with the learner's permit attached and identification. The current official fee is KRW 30,000.
The on-road pass criterion is 70 points or higher. If you fail, the current KoROAD procedure allows a retake three days after the failure date.
What Matters Most on the Road Test
- Safe observation before moving, turning, or changing lanes
- Correct use of signals
- Lane discipline and appropriate positioning
- Following traffic lights, signs, and posted speed limits
- Safe interaction with pedestrians and other vehicles
- Calm, predictable driving instead of rushed decisions
9. Receive Your Korean Driver's License
After passing the final test, you can apply for license issuance. KoROAD currently requires the application form with the final pass result, identification, and one recent 3.5 × 4.5 cm color photograph.
The current issuance fee is KRW 10,000 for a standard Korean/English license or KRW 15,000 for a Mobile IC Korean/English license.
10. Official Fees at a Glance
These are the fees currently listed by KoROAD for the standard acquisition stages. Driving-school tuition, extra lessons, photographs, transportation, hospital fees where applicable, and retest costs are separate.
| Stage | Current KoROAD fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-test safety education | Free | Required before written-test registration |
| Physical check-up | KRW 6,000 for most licenses | KRW 7,000 for Class 1 Large/Special |
| Written test | KRW 10,000 | Class 1 / Class 2 |
| Practical course test | KRW 25,000 | Class 1 / Class 2 Ordinary |
| Learner's permit | KRW 4,000 | Intermediate stage |
| On-road test | KRW 30,000 | Ordinary-license route |
| Standard license issuance | KRW 10,000 | Korean/English standard license |
| Mobile IC license issuance | KRW 15,000 | Korean/English Mobile IC license |
11. Common Mistakes That Waste Time
- Arriving without the required recent photographs
- Assuming every examination office has an on-site physical check-up facility
- Booking safety education too late to take the written test on the same day
- Choosing a license class without checking which vehicles it covers
- Assuming a written-test pass means you can drive independently
- Forgetting the waiting period before a practical or on-road retest
- Starting the full process before checking whether your foreign license can be exchanged
12. Practical Preparation Checklist
□ If you already have a foreign license, check Part 3 first.
□ Choose a driver's license examination office.
□ Check whether the office has an on-site physical check-up center.
□ Reserve pre-test traffic safety education if needed for your schedule.
□ Prepare accepted identification.
□ Prepare three recent 3.5 × 4.5 cm color photographs.
□ Choose your written-test language.
□ Check the latest fees and available test dates.
□ Arrive early for document checks and registration.
□ Keep your application documents until final license issuance.
The process is much easier when you treat it as a sequence. Complete one stage, keep the paperwork, and confirm the next appointment before leaving the test center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners take the written test in English?
Yes. KoROAD currently lists Korean, English, Chinese, and Vietnamese as available written-test languages.
What score do I need to pass the written test?
The current pass criteria are 70 points or higher for Class 1 and 60 points or higher for Class 2.
What happens if I fail the written test?
Under the current KoROAD procedure, a written-test retake is available from the next day.
How long do I wait after failing a practical or on-road test?
KoROAD currently states that practical-course and on-road retakes are available three days after the failure date.
Do all examination offices provide physical check-ups?
No. KoROAD specifically lists several offices without on-site physical check-up centers, so verify your chosen location first.
Do I need a driving school?
The official examination-center process and private driving-school training are separate. Whether a school is useful depends on your experience, confidence, language needs, and desired amount of instruction.
Should I start from zero if I already have a foreign license?
Not necessarily. Some foreign licenses may qualify for exchange. Check Part 3 before starting the full examination route.
Can I drive as soon as I pass the written test?
No. Passing the written test is only one stage. You must complete the remaining practical and licensing steps first.
Before You Book the First Test
Prepare the process as one sequence rather than as separate appointments: identity and residence documents → traffic-safety education → physical check → written exam → course test → learner's permit → road test → issuance. Check the current examination-office requirements before you travel because accepted documents, reservations, fees, and test availability can change.
Practical mistake to avoid: do not start the full test route until you have checked Part 3 if you already possess a valid foreign license. An eligible exchange can be a different and simpler process.
Official Resources
Fees, schedules, accepted identification, and examination procedures can change. Confirm current requirements before visiting.
- Korea Road Traffic Authority · Driver's License Acquisition Procedure — official stages, documents, pass scores, fees, retake rules, and test languages
- KoROAD · Driver's License Test Schedule — examination-office schedules and reservations