Korea Driving Guide for Americans (2025): What to Know Before You Drive
1. Quick Answer: Can Americans drive in Korea with just a U.S. License?
No, Americans cannot drive in Korea with only a U.S. license. Korea requires all US license holders to carry a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) based on the 1949 Geneva Convention. If your license was issued in a country other than the United States, check out this blog about who is eligible to get an IDP.
Requirements:
Must be 18+
Must have a valid U.S. driver’s license
Must carry IDP while driving
Holders of U.S. driver’s licenses must obtain an IDP from an authorized issuer. PriorityIDP obtains legitimate IDPs on behalf of its customers from AAA and express ships them internationally. This is the fastest, most reliable way to receive an IDP if you are unable to visit a AAA branch yourself.
2. How to legally drive in Korea as a foreigner
Is an IDP required to drive in Korea if I have a U.S. license?
Yes, Korean law requires that U.S. license holders must carry a valid International Driving Permit to drive in Korea. See the “Transportation” section on the US State Department’s website for South Korea for more information.
These rules are based on two legal texts:
1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic: This is the international treaty that created IDPs and continues to govern them. The U.S. and Korea are both signatories to this treaty and will recognize 1949-format IDPs.
Korean Federal Law: Korea’s Road Traffic Act lists out the acceptable forms of driving licenses in Korea. For American license holders, the relevant section (Article 96) lays out the following rules:
If you enter the Republic of Korea with a valid International Driving Permit or a mutually recognized foreign driver’s license, you may drive motor vehicles [passenger cars, vans, trucks, special vehicles, two-wheeled motorcycles over 125 cc, and mopeds] for one year from the date of entry or until your IDP expires, whichever comes first.
If you stay longer than one year and plan to drive, you’ll generally need to obtain a Korean driver’s license (which involves tests or license exchange, depending on your situation).
Korea also recognizes 1968-format IDPs (Vienna Convention), but that’s not relevant for U.S. license holders since the U.S. only issues 1949-format.
Who checks the IDP and what happens if I don’t have one?
Korea is one of the strictest countries in the world when it comes to requiring International Driving Permits. Here are the policies of the three groups who will check for an IDP:
Police
Driving without an IDP is considered driving without a valid license, which is a serious offense in Korea that could result in up to 1 year of jail time.
In addition to possible jail time, you could face a fine of up to KRW 3,000,000 (~$2,027)
Rental car agency
Both Korean and international rental car companies (e.g., SK rent-a-car, Lotte, Avis) will refuse to rent a car to anyone without a valid 1949-format International Driving Permit. You will be turned away at the rental desk if you attempt to rent a car without a valid IDP or with a fake IDP (see our blog about how to spot IDP scams).
Insurer
If you paid for a collision damage waiver (CDW) through your rental car company, the contract likely has language requiring that you be properly licensed to drive in Korea. If they can show that you aren’t, they may claim that you violated the contract and refuse to cover any of the damage.
If you paid for a travel insurance policy or have rental car insurance through your credit card, they may also refuse to reimburse your claim if you get into an accident and can’t prove that you were properly licensed.
How to get an IDP (U.S. license holders)
Holders of U.S. driver’s licenses must obtain an IDP from an authorized issuer. PriorityIDP obtains legitimate IDPs on behalf of its customers from AAA and express ships them internationally. This is the fastest, most reliable way to receive an IDP while abroad.
3. Renting a Car in Korea (What to Expect)
Requirements
Valid U.S. driver’s license
Valid International Driving Permit
Passport with entry stamp to confirm entry date
Credit card for deposit
Minimum age of 18 – see our blog about the minimum age required to rent and drive a car / motorcycle
How does insurance work when renting a car in Korea?
Check out our blog on this topic.
What other fees should I look out for while renting a car / driving in Korea?
Check out our blog on this topic.
4. Korea-Specific Driving Rules You Must Know
Quick tips
Driving side: Korea drives on the right side of the road (same as the U.S.). Be cautious at intersections and roundabouts if you're coming from left-hand traffic countries
Road signs: Road signs are typically posted in both Korean and English. However, some local and rural areas may use Korean only. Make sure to review what different traffic symbols mean and also have a translation app handy.
Speed limits: Korea uses both handheld radar and automated speed cameras to catch speeders. If you are renting a car, your ticket will be sent to your rental company who will bill you automatically and may add an admin fee as well.
Headlights: Required at night, in tunnels, and in poor visibility (e.g., rain, fog, etc). Daytime running lights are encouraged but not required.
Seatbelts: Mandatory for all passengers.
Car seats: Children under 6 must be in approved car seats. Some rental car companies may have them on hand but we suggest requesting ahead of time.
Phone usage: Handheld phone usage while driving is strictly prohibited.
Alcohol limit: Approximately 0.03% BAC, which is significantly lower than the U.S. legal limit. 1-2 drinks can put many people over the limit. For drivers under 20, the limit is zero. Your best bet is to not drive if you plan on drinking at all.
Right (left)-of-way:
Right turns (across oncoming traffic) must yield to oncoming traffic going straight or turning left.
If not explicitly marked by a sign, traffic coming from the left has priority.
Must yield to pedestrians and cyclists in or waiting at crossings. Trams also have priority when present (mainly in cities like Seoul).
Left / right turn on red: Not allowed unless there is a green turn or flashing amber arrow.
Required equipment (generally provided by rental company): Warning device such as a triangle, warning beacon, or flare for use in case of a breakdown.
Tolls: Almost all of Korean expressways are toll roads. Most rental cars come equipped with a Hi-Pass (electronic toll collection) device, but drivers need to opt into an ETC card from the rental company. Be sure to use purple ETC lanes at toll stations. Tolls will be automatically added to your rental bill. If you are planning on doing a lot of driving, inquire with your rental company about adding an unlimited-use Expressway Pass to your ETC card for a fixed daily rate.
What to do if you get pulled over
Check out our blog on this topic.
What to do if you get into an accident
The emergency number in Korea is 112 for police and 119 for ambulance and fire.
Check out our blog for more information on this subject.
5. How to get an IDP quickly
Need an IDP? We can ship as quickly as next-day for domestic orders and 2 days for most major cities abroad. We can help figure out where to ship your IDP if you’re already abroad. Don’t panic! We’re here to help.