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Exchange of Foreign Driver's License for a Korean Driver's License

1. Procedure

  • Review of required documents submitted, such as Embassy Certificate
  • Aptitude Test (Physical Check-up) and Written Test
  • Exchange and Issuance of a Domestic Driver’s License
    • If any deficiencies are found during the document review, submission of supplementary documents may be required.
    • The written test is exempted when exchanging a driver’s license issued by a country recognized for domestic driver’s license exchange.

2. Required Documents

  • Original Foreign Driver’s License
  • A passport showing entry and exit history from the country of license issuance to the date of arrival in Korea.
    • If the country of license acquisition and nationality differ, proof of stay in the country of license acquisition for 90 days or more is required.
    • Documents proving a stay of 90 days or more include: Certificate of Enrollment, Certificate of Employment, Tax Invoice, Permanent Resident Card (e.g., U.S. Green Card), Citizenship Certificate, or a long-term visa valid for over one year.
  • Original Alien Registration Card (or Original Overseas Korean Resident Card) or Original Resident Registration Card
  • Three color photographs taken within the past six months (size: 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm)
  • Embassy Certificate or Apostille Certificate regarding the driver's license
  • Certificate of Entry and Exit : From year of birth to present
  • Issuance Fee : Mobile IC (Korean/English) KRW 15,000 / Standard (Korean/English) KRW 10,000

3. Application Guide

  • Application Location : Driver's License Test Sites Nationwide
  • Applicant : The individual
    • Proxy application is not allowed (Except for holders of Ministry of Foreign Affairs–issued ID cards).
  • Notice of Countries Recognized for Domestic Driver's License Exchange (Korean National Police Agency, November 22, 2023)
  • What is a country recognized for domestic driver's license exchange? A country that issues its own driver’s license in exchange for a Korean driver’s license without requiring a separate test.
    • For licenses issued by countries recognized for domestic driver's license exchange : Only an aptitude test (physical test) is required.
    • For licenses issued by countries not recognized for domestic driver's license exchange : Both an aptitude test and a written test (multiple choice, 40 questions) are required.
      • The written test may be taken in Korean, English, Chinese, or Vietnamese.
      • In the United States, both Oregon and Idaho require a written test, even though they are recognized countries.
  • The aptitude test (physical test) can be taken at the Driver's License Test Site.
  • Physical Check-up Fee : KRW 7,000 for Class 1 (Large/Special) licenses, KRW 6,000 for other licenses.
    • Driver's License Test Sites in Mungyeong, Gangneung, Taebaek, Gwangyang, Chungju, and Chuncheon do not have in-house physical test facilities. Please have your physical test at a nearby hospital.

As the process for exchanging a foreign driver’s license can be time-consuming, applications must be submitted at least one hour before closing (by 17:00). If a written test is required, it is recommended to visit before 16:00.

※ Please be sure to review the [Important Notes for License Exchange Issuance].

  • Please check the following guidelines for the Embassy Certificate or Apostille Certificate (for the purpose of verifying the authenticity of a foreign driver’s license) issued within one year from the date of application :
    • Certificate issued in Korean or English by the embassy of the relevant country in Korea or by the Korean embassy in the relevant country
    • Certificate issued in Korean or English by a competent authority in an Apostille Convention country (locally issued)
  • If the submitted Apostille Certificate or Embassy Certificate shows any signs of tampering or separation (e.g., marks from staple removal or tears, etc.), you may be required to submit additional documents or your application may be rejected.
  • If the name or date of birth on the submitted foreign driver’s license, passport, or other required documents differs, you must submit an Embassy Certificate or other documents (such as a passport) to verify the discrepancy.
  • For the Embassy of Colombia in Korea, you must bring both the Apostille Certificate for the driver’s license and the General Driver Report when visiting the Driver’s License Test Site.
  • If a copy of the driver’s license is attached to the Apostille Certificate, both the front and back sides of the foreign driver’s license must be included.
  • If the Embassy Certificate for the foreign driver’s license states that the authenticity of the license has not been verified, additional documents may be requested, or your application may be rejected.
  • For holders of New Zealand driver’s licenses :
    • Restricted license holders : You must pass the Written Test to be eligible for license exchange issuance.
    • Full license holders : If less than two years have passed since issuance, you must pass the Written Test to be eligible for license exchange issuance.
      (However, as stated in Important Note 1, the Written Test is exempted if you possess an exempt visa.)
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