How to issue an international driver’s license
국제면허증 발급방법
An international driver’s license is absolutely necessary when driving abroad with a rental car, etc. If you have a domestic driver’s license, you can easily get one. Let me tell you how to issue an international driver’s license.
place of application
National driver’s license test center and police station
Incheon Airport International Driver’s License Issuance Center
220 local governments under agreement with the Road Traffic Authority
It can be issued at driver’s license test centers and police stations nationwide. It is also available at the International Driver’s License Issuance Center on the 3rd floor of Incheon International Airport. If you apply at the police station, you can apply by bringing a credit or debit card after checking whether an international driver’s license can be issued before visiting.
✅ Go to Apply for International Driver’s License
When accessing the above site, the following screen will appear.
Enter your name and social security number, then click OK.
Real name authentication is required.
Proceed with simple authentication, joint authentication, mobile phone authentication, etc.
After that, you can proceed according to the instructions.
Preparations
Passport (copy accepted), driver’s license, 1 passport photo taken within 6 months (3.5*4.5cm, hair length (from the top of the head to the chin) between 3.2cm and 3.6cm, except for passport photos)
When applying for an agent, the identity card of the applicant, the identity card of the agent, and a power of attorney are additionally required.
expiration period
It can be used up to one year from the date of issuance.
charge
A fee of 8,500 won will be paid.
Countries where international driver’s licenses are available
Countries where international driver’s licenses can be used. As of February 17, 22.
Asia
Pacific New Zealand, Taiwan, Laos, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Australia, India, Japan, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Philippines, Hong Kong, Macau
Americas Guatemala, Dominican Republic, United States of America, Barbados, Venezuela, Argentina, Haiti, Ecuador, Jamaica, Chile, Canada, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Paraguay, Peru
Vatican Europe, Greece, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Russia, Romania, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Montenegro, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, San Marino, Serbia, Sweden, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Iceland, Ireland, Albania, UK, Austria, Italy, Georgia, Czech Republic, Croatia, Turkey, Portugal, Poland, France, Finland, Hungary, Estonia
Middle East
Africa Ghana, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Niger, Lebanon, Lesotho, Rwanda,
Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Malta, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Syria, Sierra Leone, United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Jordan, Uganda, Israel, Egypt, Central African Republic, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Congo, Republic of the Congo, Togo, Tunisia
In the case of China, even if you have an international driver’s license, you cannot use it.
Safety Driving Precautions
Be careful when driving a car in the countries listed below.
japan
Unlike Korea, vehicles drive on the left, and the driver’s seat is on the right.
Unlike Korea, the center line is displayed in white instead of yellow, so be careful.
Pay attention to signs prohibiting illegal parking, and if a parking violation is detected, a significant fine will be incurred. Minimum 6,000 yen (approximately 65,000 won) to maximum 27,000 yen (approximately 300,000 won)
thailand
Unlike Korea, vehicles drive on the left side of the road and the steering wheel is on the right side.
When renting a vehicle, be sure to rent a vehicle that is insured.
In the event of an accident, many of the other party’s vehicles are not insured, making it difficult to compensate for damage.
Philippines
As in Korea, vehicles drive on the right side of the road
Risk of accident is high due to reckless driving such as sudden stop and lane change
There are many one-way streets in the city center
There are many uninsured vehicles, so it is difficult to compensate for damages in the event of an accident.
uk
Vehicles drive on the left and the driver’s seat is on the right, which is opposite to the Korean traffic system.
fasten seat belt
Center line marked with a white dashed line unlike ours
USA
Always bring your driver’s license, vehicle registration and insurance documents with you when driving
Both driver and passenger wear seat belts
At the octagonal red “STOP” sign, stop completely and start after checking left and right for 2-3 seconds.
Utilization of English driver’s license
The National Police Agency and the Korea Road Traffic Authority are issuing English driver’s licenses that allow driving without an international driver’s license in 33 foreign countries, including the UK, Canada, and Australia, at 27 driver’s license test centers nationwide.
An English driver’s license is printed on the back of the driver’s license with information such as name, date of birth, license number, and type of vehicle that can be driven in English so that the driver’s license information can be easily grasped even abroad.
In order to apply for an English driver’s license, you need an identification card, a photo, and a fee of 10,000 won (15,000 won for an aptitude test), which is 2,500 won added to the existing license issuance fee of 7,500 won. If you work frequently, it is recommended that you obtain an English driver’s license.