🚗🌍 [Transport] Where to Get an International Driving Permit (IDP) in South Korea
Planning to drive overseas after leaving Korea? Before renting a car abroad, you may need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to your Korean driver’s license and passport.
The good news is that getting an IDP in South Korea is relatively simple. You can apply at driver’s license examination centers, police stations, selected airport service centers, participating local government offices, or online.
Here is the DiscoverKoreaGuide guide to where and how to get one.
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🚘 1. Driver’s License Examination Centers — The Most Reliable Option
The easiest and most straightforward place to obtain an International Driving Permit is a Driver’s License Examination Center (운전면허시험장) operated by the Korea Road Traffic Authority.
International Driving Permits can be issued at driver’s license examination centers throughout the country.
Major locations include:
📍 Seoul
- Gangnam Driver’s License Examination Center
- Dobong Driver’s License Examination Center
- Gangseo Driver’s License Examination Center
- Seobu Driver’s License Examination Center
📍 Gyeonggi-do
- Yongin Driver’s License Examination Center
- Ansan Driver’s License Examination Center
- Uijeongbu Driver’s License Examination Center
📍 Other Major Cities & Regions
- Incheon
- Busan Nambu
- Busan Bukbu
- Daegu
- Daejeon
- Ulsan
- Jeju
- Cheongju
- Chungju
- Chuncheon
- Gangneung
- Wonju
- Taebaek
- Yesan
- Jeonbuk
- Jeonnam
- Gwangyang
- Mungyeong
- Pohang
- Masan
The Korea Road Traffic Authority currently lists 27 driver’s license examination centers nationwide.
💡 DiscoverKoreaGuide Tip:
If you need the permit quickly, visiting a driver’s license examination center is generally the most convenient choice.
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👮 2. Police Stations
International Driving Permits can also be issued at police stations throughout South Korea.
This can be particularly convenient if there is no driver’s license examination center near your home.
Before visiting, however, it is a good idea to contact the police station and confirm that the relevant civil-service desk is handling International Driving Permit applications.
💳 If applying at a police station, prepare an accepted payment method for the issuance fee.
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✈️ 3. Incheon International Airport
Flying out of Korea soon?
An International Driving Permit issuance center is available at Incheon International Airport, making it possible for eligible travelers to obtain an IDP close to their departure time.
🛫 Incheon International Airport
🌍 International Driving Permit Issuance Center
This can be extremely useful if you realize just before your flight that your destination requires an IDP.
⚠️ However, do not intentionally leave the application until the last minute.
Airport service hours can differ from flight schedules, and waiting until departure day creates unnecessary risk if there is a problem with your documents, photograph, or application.
Best option: Get your IDP before going to the airport whenever possible.
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✈️ 4. Gimhae International Airport
Travelers departing from Busan and the southeastern region can also use the International Driving Permit Issuance Center at Gimhae International Airport.
This is particularly convenient for travelers from:
📍 Busan
📍 Gimhae
📍 Changwon
📍 Ulsan
📍 Gyeongsangnam-do
Again, airport issuance should ideally be treated as a convenient option rather than a last-minute travel strategy.
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🏢 5. Participating Local Government Offices
You may also be able to apply through one of approximately 220 local government offices that have an agreement with the Korea Road Traffic Authority.
But there is an important condition.
⚠️ At these participating local government offices, you generally cannot apply for an International Driving Permit by itself.
The service is available when you are:
🛂 Applying for a passport
➕
🚗 Applying for an International Driving Permit at the same time
This is essentially a Passport + IDP One-Stop Service.
So if you are already applying for a new passport before an overseas trip, check whether your city, district, or county office participates in this service.
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💻 6. Online Application
Don’t want to visit an office?
International Driving Permit applications can also be submitted online through Korea’s official Safe Driving Integrated Civil Service (안전운전 통합민원) system. Online applications are officially supported by the Korea Road Traffic Authority.
This is useful for travelers who have enough time before departure.
Remember:
📮 An IDP is a physical document.
So an online application is not the same as instantly downloading a digital international license.
If your departure date is very close, visiting a driver’s license examination center or another authorized in-person location may be more practical.
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📸 What Do You Need to Apply?
For a standard application, prepare:
🪪 Valid Korean Driver’s License
🛂 Passport
A passport copy may also be accepted under the official requirements.
📸 One recent passport-style color photograph
- Taken within the last 6 months
- Size: 3.5 × 4.5 cm
💰 Issuance Fee: KRW 9,000
The Korea Road Traffic Authority currently lists the International Driving Permit issuance fee as ₩9,000.
For Korean citizens with a valid Korean passport, passport information may in some situations be confirmed electronically with consent to government administrative information sharing.
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👥 Can Someone Apply on Your Behalf?
Yes.
A proxy application is also permitted.
Additional documentation is required, including:
📄 Power of Attorney
🪪 Identification for the applicant
🪪 Identification for the representative
If another person is applying for you, check the latest official document requirements before visiting.
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🌍 Important: An IDP Is Not a Standalone Driver’s License
An International Driving Permit should generally be used together with your original Korean driver’s license.
When driving overseas, it is safest to carry:
✅ International Driving Permit (IDP)
✅ Original Korean Driver’s License
✅ Passport
Do not assume that your IDP alone is enough.
Rules can differ by country, state, province, immigration status, and length of stay.
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🪪 Do You Already Have a Korean English Driver’s License?
Before applying for an IDP, check the back of your Korean driver’s license.
If you have an English Korean Driver’s License (영문운전면허증) with your license information printed in English, you may be able to drive in certain countries without obtaining a separate International Driving Permit.
The English Korean Driver’s License is officially available through driver’s license examination centers and police stations.
However, it is not accepted in every country.
For example, recognition rules can vary significantly depending on your destination, and countries such as Japan may still require a valid International Driving Permit.
💡 Before paying for an IDP, check:
🌍 Does my destination accept the Korean English Driver’s License?
If YES → You may not need a separate IDP.
If NO → Obtain an International Driving Permit before departure.
For multi-country road trips, preparing an IDP can often be the more practical option.
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🚗 Quick Guide: Where Can I Get an IDP in Korea?
🚘 Driver’s License Examination Centers
→ Available nationwide
→ Recommended for straightforward in-person applications
👮 Police Stations
→ Available throughout Korea
→ Check the relevant station before visiting
✈️ Incheon International Airport
→ Convenient for departing international travelers
✈️ Gimhae International Airport
→ Convenient for Busan and southeastern Korea travelers
🏢 Participating Local Government Offices
→ About 220 participating locations
→ Only available when applying for a passport at the same time
💻 Online
→ Available through the Safe Driving Integrated Civil Service system
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🧳 Before You Leave Korea
Before heading to the airport, use this simple checklist:
✅ Check whether your destination accepts your Korean English Driver’s License
✅ Check whether an International Driving Permit is required
✅ Check your Korean driver’s license expiration date
✅ Check your passport
✅ Confirm your IDP validity
✅ Confirm your rental-car company’s requirements
✅ Carry your physical documents when driving overseas
Different countries — and even different states or provinces within the same country — may have different driving-license rules.
Always verify the latest requirements before your trip.
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Save this guide before your next overseas road trip. 🚗🌍✈️
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