Driver's License Requirement
You must get a driver's license to drive a motor vehicle.
- You must get a driver's license to drive a motor vehicle (includes cars and motor bicycles). (Article 80-(1) and Article 2-18/19/21 of the Road Traffic Act)
※ “Motorized bicycles” comprise of two-wheeled motor vehicles with a displacement less than 125 cubic centimeters (cc) under Article 3 of the “Motor Vehicle Management Act” or motorized cars with a displacement less than 125 cc (less than 11 kW of full power rating for electronic vehicles) under Article 2, subparagraph 19 of the “Road Traffic Act.”
※ Motorcyclesmean motorcycles and other motor vehicles with a structure similar thereto,which are suitably manufactured to transport 1 or 2 persons, regardless of thesize of total displacement or rated output of a motor vehicle (Subparagraph 5of Article 3(1) of the Motor Vehicle Management Act)
When you can drive without a driver's license
- However, a driver’s license is not necessary for the transportation vulnerable, such as the disabled, elderly, pregnant women, guardians of infants, children, or others under Article 2, subparagraph 1 of the “Act on Promotion of the Transportation Convenience of Mobility Disadvantaged Persons.” However, according to the proviso of Article 80, paragraph 1 of the “Road Traffic Act,” the transportation vulnerable shall operate motorized cars with a displacement less than 125cc (less than 11kW of total power rating for electronic vehicles) and a top speed of 20km in this case.
Operable Types of Vehicles by Driver's License Type
Korean driver's license types are divided into Level 1 Driver's License, Level 2 Driver's License, and Temporary Driving License.
- A Level 1 Driver's License lets you drive a personal vehicle and any commercial vehicle defined by the Passenger Transport Service Act and the Trucking Transport Business Act. (Article 80-(2) of the Road Traffic Act; Article 53 and Attached Table 18 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act)
- A Level 2 Driver's License allows the license holder to drive personal vehicles, passenger vehicles with a 10-passenger capacity or less, freight vehicles with a 4-ton loading capacity or less, and special vehicles with a total weight of 3.5 tons or less (excluding large towing vehicles, small towing vehicles, and recovery vehicles) (Article 80-(2) of the Road Traffic Act, Article 53 and the attached Table 18 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act).
- A Temporary Driving License is issued to an applicant for a Level 1 or Level 2 Driver's License who passes the aptitude test, written exam, and driving course test for on road-driving practice. (Article 81 of the Road Traffic Act)
The Operable Vehicles by Driver's License Type are shown below. (Attached Table 18 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act)
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Driver's license
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Operable vehicles
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Type
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Sub-Level
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Level 1
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licenses for large motor vehicles
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① A personal vehicle; ② A passenger vehicle; ③ A freight vehicle; ④ Construction machinery; · A dump truck, asphalt distributor, and road stabilizer · A concrete mixer truck, concrete pump, and boring machine (mounted on truck) · A concrete mixer trailer and asphalt concrete generator · A road maintenance truck and 3-ton or smaller forklift ⑤ A special vehicle [large towing vehicles, small towing vehicles, recovery vehicle excluded (hereinafter referred to as "recovery vehicles, etc.")]; ⑥ A motor bicycle.
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Drivers' license for ordinary motor vehicles
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① A personal vehicle ② A passenger vehicle with a passenger capacity of 15 or less; ③ A freight vehicle with a load capacity of 12 tons or less; ④ Construction machinery (Limited in 3-ton or smaller forklifts that are driven on the roads); ⑤ A special vehicle with a total weight of 10 tons or less (recovery vehicles, etc. excluded); ⑥ A motor bicycle
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Drivers' licenses for small motor vehicles
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① Three-wheel freight vehicles ② Three-wheel personal vehicles ③ Motor bicycles
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Special drivers' licenses
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Large towing vehicles
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① A pull-type special vehicle; ② Vehicles that can be driven with Class II drivers’ licenses for ordinary motor vehicles.
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Small towing vehicles
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① A pull-type special vehicle with a total weight of 3.5 tons or less; ② Vehicles that can be driven with Class II drivers’ licenses for ordinary motor vehicles.
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Recovery vehicles
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① A special recovery vehicle; ② Vehicles that can be driven with Class II drivers’ licenses for ordinary motor vehicles.
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Level 2
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Drivers' licenses for ordinary motor vehicles
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① A personal vehicle; ② A passenger vehicle with a passenger capacity of 10 or less; ③ A freight vehicle with a load capacity of 4 tons or less; ④ A special vehicle with a total weight of 3.5 tons or less (recovery vehicles, etc. excluded); ⑤ A motor bicycle.
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Drivers' licenses for small motor vehicles
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① A two-wheeled vehicle (including sidecar); ② A motor bicycle.
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Drivers' licenses for motor bicycles
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A motor bicycle
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Temporary Driving License
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Level 1 Regular
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① Personal vehicles ② Passenger vehicles with a 15-passenger capacity or less ③ Freight vehicles (less than 12-ton loading capacity)
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Level 2 Regular
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① Personal vehicles ② Passenger vehicles with a 10-passenger capacity or less ③ Freight vehicles with a 4-ton loading capacity or less
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※ Driving Vehicles For Which You Are Not Licensed
Q. I have a Level 2 Auto Driver's License. Am I driving without a license if I drive a Level 2 manual vehicle?
A. This particular situation would not constitute driving without a license; however, a person driving in violation of the conditions specified in Article 80-(3) or 80-(4) of the Road Traffic Act, such as physical condition or driving ability, is subject to up to 6 months of incarceration, a fine of up to 2 million won, or penal detention. (Article 153-7 of the Road Traffic Act)
※ Driving a Trailer without a Towed Vehicle
Q. Which driver's license do I need to drive a trailer (special vehicle for towing) without a towed vehicle?
A. A trailer that can tow a vehicle (excluding two-wheeled vehicles under Article 3 of the Motor Vehicle Management Act)can be driven by a holder of a Level 1 Large Driver's License, Level 1 Regular Driver's License, or Level 2 Regular Driver's License. To tow a vehicle in excess of 750kg, the driver must have a Level 1 Special (Trailer) Driver's license in addition to their regular driver’s license (Article 80-(2) of the Road Traffic Act; Article 53 and Attached Table 18 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act).
You Must Pass the Driver's License Exam.
You should pass the driver's license exam to get a driver's license. (Article 85-(1) of the Road Traffic Act)
- You must be issued a driver's license by the police station or Road Traffic Authority office where you took your test, within 30 days of passing your driver's license exam. (Article 77-1 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act)
- You must not drive without a driver's license. (Article 43 of the Road Traffic Act; Article 77-1 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act)