Can I drive in Korea with just my home country license?

No. You need both your home country driver's license AND an International Driving Permit (IDP). The IDP must be obtained before arriving in Korea — you cannot get one inside the country.

Is it safe to drive in Korea as a foreigner?

Yes, Korea is very safe for driving. Roads are well-maintained, signage includes English, and navigation apps work well. The main challenges are aggressive driving styles in cities and unfamiliar road signs. Stick to speed limits and stay alert.

How much does it cost to rent a car in Korea?

Compact cars start at ₩40,000-60,000 per day, mid-size sedans at ₩60,000-80,000, and SUVs at ₩80,000-120,000. Full insurance coverage adds ₩10,000-20,000 per day. Book 2 weeks ahead during peak seasons.

Do I need a special license for automatic vs manual?

No, your IDP covers both. However, most rental cars in Korea are automatic transmission. Manual cars are available but less common. Specify when booking if you have a preference.

Can I drive my rental car to North Korea?

No. The DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) between South and North Korea is a military zone. Civilians cannot cross by any means. Tours to the DMZ are available but don't involve driving yourself.

What side of the road does Korea drive on?

Korea drives on the right side of the road, same as the United States, Canada, and most of Europe. The steering wheel is on the left side of the car.

Is parking difficult in Korean cities?

Street parking in central Seoul or Busan can be challenging, but underground parking garages are abundant and affordable (₩1,000-3,000/hour). Most attractions, malls, and restaurants have parking. Use Naver Map to find parking near your destination.

What happens if I get a speeding ticket?

Speed cameras photograph your license plate and the ticket goes to the rental company, who charges it to your credit card. Fines start at ₩40,000 and increase with speed. Your rental GPS will warn you about cameras — pay attention to it.

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Guides

First-Time Driving in Korea: Everything You Need

By Koro Team·10 min read·February 5, 2026

In This Article

Driving in Korea requires an International Driving Permit (IDP) obtained before arrival, plus your home country license and passport. Rental cars cost ₩40,000-80,000/day from major airports. Korea drives on the right, speed limits are 60 km/h (city) to 110 km/h (expressway), and most rental cars include GPS with speed camera alerts. Use Naver Map or KakaoMap instead of Google Maps.

At a Glance

📋

Required

IDP + Passport

🎂

Min. Age

21 years old

🚗

Drive Side

Right-hand side

⚡

Speed Limit

60-110 km/h

💰

Rental Cost

From ₩40,000/day

📱

Best Nav App

Naver Map

Why Drive in Korea?

Korea has an excellent public transportation network, so why rent a car? Three reasons: flexibility, access, and discovery. Trains and buses run on schedules and fixed routes. A car lets you stop at that roadside restaurant the locals love, explore coastal roads at sunset, or visit temples that aren't on any tour itinerary.

Beyond major cities, Korea becomes a different country. Mountain villages, coastal fishing towns, countryside farms — these places exist between train stations. Driving opens up 70% of Korea that most tourists never see.

Modern SUV parked with lush green background, showcasing sleek design — Modern rental SUVs offer comfort and versatility for exploring Korea's diverse terrain

Before You Arrive: Required Documents

International Driving Permit (IDP)

The IDP is the most important document. It's a translation of your home country license that Korean authorities recognize. You MUST obtain it before arriving in Korea — there is no way to get one inside the country.

Detail	Information
Where to Get It	Your country's automobile association (AAA in the US, CAA in Canada, AA in the UK, etc.)
Cost	$15-25 USD
Processing Time	Same-day to 2 weeks depending on your country
Validity	1 year from issue date

IDP Details by Country

Important

Korea recognizes IDPs from Geneva Convention (1949) and Vienna Convention (1968) signatory countries. Some countries like China and India have additional requirements. Check with your local automobile association before traveling.

Renting a Car in Korea

Where to Rent

Airport locations are most convenient and often have English-speaking staff.

Category	Companies
Korean Companies	Lotte Rent-a-Car (largest), SK Rent-a-Car, AJ Rent-a-Car
International Chains	Hertz, Avis, Budget

Rental Companies in Korea

Incheon International Airport
Gimpo Airport
Jeju Airport
Seoul Station
Busan Station

Close-up of a hand handing over car keys, signifying car rental — Picking up your rental car is straightforward — have your IDP, license, and passport ready

Rental Costs

Category	Models	Price
Compact	Hyundai Avante, Kia K3	₩40,000-60,000
Mid-size	Sonata, K5	₩60,000-80,000
SUV	Tucson, Sportage	₩80,000-120,000
Premium/Luxury	Various	₩150,000+
Full Coverage Insurance	Recommended add-on	+₩10,000-20,000

Rental Car Pricing (per day)

All prices include basic insurance. Full coverage (recommended) adds ₩10,000-20,000/day.

Pro Tip

Book 2+ weeks in advance during peak seasons (cherry blossom season in April, Chuseok holiday in September/October). Prices can double and availability disappears during Korean holidays.

What's Included

Most Korean rental cars come with the following as standard:

Built-in GPS navigation (ask to set it to English)
Dashcam (front and sometimes rear — standard in Korea)
Hi-Pass transponder for toll roads
Basic insurance
Spare tire and emergency kit

Some rentals also include:

Bluetooth connectivity
USB charging
Wi-Fi hotspot

Car dashboard with GPS navigator showing route through city streets — Navigation is essential — use Naver Map or KakaoMap instead of Google Maps in Korea

Korean Road Rules

Basic Rules

Drive on the right side (same as USA, Europe, China) — steering wheel on the left
Seatbelts mandatory for ALL passengers (front and back)
Children under 6 must use car seats
No phone use while driving (hands-free is okay)
Right turn on red is generally allowed after stopping (unless signed otherwise)
Give way to buses pulling out from stops

Speed Limits

Road Type	Speed Limit
Residential Areas	30-50 km/h
City Streets	60 km/h
National Roads	80 km/h
Expressways	100-110 km/h (sometimes 120 km/h on newer highways)
School Zones	30 km/h (heavily enforced, doubled fines)

Speed Limits by Road Type

Speed Cameras Are Everywhere

Korea has extensive speed camera coverage. Fixed cameras are marked with signs. Mobile cameras are common. Your rental car's GPS will alert you to most cameras, but stay within limits. Fines start at ₩40,000 and escalate quickly.

Sleek car cruising a picturesque tree-lined road in South Korea — Korea's well-maintained roads make driving a pleasure, especially outside major cities

Alcohol Limits

Blood alcohol limit: 0.03% (much stricter than many Western countries). Penalties: License suspension, heavy fines, possible imprisonment. Korea takes drunk driving extremely seriously. Even one beer can put you over the limit. Use designated drivers, taxis, or public transport if you drink. Korean police conduct random breathalyzer checkpoints, especially on weekends and holidays.

Expressways and Toll Roads

The Expressway System

Korea has an excellent expressway network connecting all major cities. Expressways are numbered: 1 (Gyeongbu), 50 (Yeongdong), etc.

Expressway	Route	Distance
Gyeongbu (No. 1)	Seoul — Busan	416 km
Yeongdong (No. 50)	Seoul — Gangneung	234 km
Honam	Seoul — Gwangju — Mokpo	—
Namhae	Busan — Suncheon (coastal)	—

Key Expressway Routes

Aerial view of highway and bridge over Han River in Seoul with urban landscape — Korea's modern expressway system connects all major cities efficiently

Hi-Pass (Electronic Tolls)

Hi-Pass is Korea's electronic toll system. Most rental cars include a Hi-Pass terminal pre-installed. Here's how it works:

Enter the Hi-Pass lane

Drive through the Hi-Pass lane at toll booths (usually the far left lanes).

Automatic charge

The terminal beeps and charges automatically as you pass through.

Billing

Toll costs are added to your rental bill at the end of your rental period.

If your rental doesn't have Hi-Pass, use the manned lanes and pay with cash or card.

Toll Costs

Route	Approximate Toll
Seoul → Busan (Gyeongbu Expressway)	₩35,000
Seoul → Gangneung (Yeongdong Expressway)	₩15,000
Seoul → Gwangju (Honam Expressway)	₩20,000

Toll Costs for Major Routes

Tolls are distance-based. Budget roughly ₩100 per kilometer for planning purposes.

Navigation in Korea

Google Maps has limited functionality in Korea due to national security laws that restrict map data export. Google Maps will show locations but cannot provide turn-by-turn navigation or accurate driving directions.

Use These Instead

Feature	Naver Map	KakaoMap
Best For	Overall navigation	Finding businesses
English Support	Full interface	Good support
Traffic Info	Real-time traffic, speed cameras, parking	Real-time traffic
Availability	iOS & Android	iOS & Android
Cost	Free	Free

Both apps work with Korean SIM cards or international roaming.

Pro Tip

Download offline maps before heading to rural or mountain areas. Cell coverage can be weak in Gangwon Province's mountains or remote coastal areas. Both Naver and Kakao support offline maps.

Close-up of hands holding a smartphone with GPS navigation displayed inside a car — Naver Map and KakaoMap are essential for navigation in Korea — download before you go

Parking in Korea

Street Parking

Line Color	Meaning
Blue	Paid parking (pay at nearby kiosk or via app)
White	Free parking (time limits may apply)
Yellow	No parking
Red	No stopping at any time

Street Parking Line Colors

Parking apps like KakaoPay Parking or Naver Pay can handle street parking payments automatically.

Parking Garages

Underground parking is abundant in Korean cities. Typical costs: ₩1,000-3,000 per hour, ₩10,000-20,000 per day. Department stores, malls, and attractions usually have parking. Many validate parking with purchase. Parking garages use license plate recognition — just drive in, park, and pay at exit or kiosk.

Spacious modern underground parking garage with bright lighting and empty parking spaces — Korean underground parking garages are clean, well-lit, and use license plate recognition

Gas Stations

Gas stations are plentiful in Korea but less common in rural and mountain areas. Fuel types: Gasoline (휘발유, hwibaljoo) and Diesel (경유, gyeongyu). Most rental cars use gasoline. Current prices: approximately ₩1,700-1,900 per liter. Full-service is common — attendants pump gas. Self-service (셀프) is cheaper by about ₩50-100/liter. Payment: Credit cards widely accepted. Some stations offer app-based payment discounts.

Fill Up Before Mountains

Always fill your tank before heading to Hallasan (Jeju), Seoraksan (Gangwon), or other mountain areas. Gas stations can be 30+ km apart in rural regions.

Close-up of a fuel nozzle refueling a car at a gas station — Full-service is common at Korean gas stations — attendants will pump your fuel

Emergency Situations

Emergency Numbers

Service	Number	Notes
Police	112	English available
Fire / Ambulance	119	English available
Tourist Helpline	1330	24/7 English support
Roadside Assistance	Your rental company	Keep their number handy

Emergency Numbers

Korea Tourism Hotline (1330) is especially useful. They can help translate, provide directions, and assist with any travel issues.

In Case of Accident

Stay calm and check for injuries

Assess the situation and ensure everyone's safety first.

Call 119 if anyone is hurt

Request an ambulance for any injured parties.

Call 112 for police

This is required for all insurance claims. Korea has a no-fault reporting requirement — police must be called for all accidents.

Don't move vehicles

Unless they are blocking traffic dangerously, leave vehicles where they are.

Exchange information

Get details from the other driver(s) involved.

Document the scene

Take photos of all damage and the surrounding area.

Call your rental company

Contact them immediately to report the incident and get guidance on next steps.

Driving Tips for Foreigners

Korean drivers can be aggressive by Western standards. Lane changes happen fast, honking is common, and traffic laws are sometimes treated as suggestions. Don't take it personally — just drive defensively.

1Stay in your lane on expressways — left lane is for passing only
2Use your turn signals (many Korean drivers don't, but you should)
3Watch for motorcycles and scooters weaving through traffic
4Be extra careful in school zones — fines are doubled and enforcement is strict
5Rest areas on expressways are excellent — use them for food, breaks, and clean facilities

Hyundai Avante car captured from the back view on vibrant streets of Seoul at night — Night driving in Seoul offers a different perspective on Korea's capital city

Ready to Drive Korea?

Compare rental prices from Korea's top car rental companies.

Compare Rental Cars

Frequently Asked Questions

Driving in Korea opens up a side of the country most tourists never experience. Yes, there's a learning curve with navigation apps and unfamiliar signs, but the rewards are worth it — hidden coastal roads, mountain passes, traditional villages, and the freedom to explore on your own schedule. Get your IDP, book a rental car, and hit the road.