Driving with an International Driver's Permit
What is an International Driver's Permit?
- An international driver's permit is a driver's license issued by a foreign authority in accordance with the Geneva Convention (1949 Convention on Road Traffic, Geneva, Switzerland) and the Vienna Convention (1968 Convention on Road Traffic, Vienna, Austria).(Convention on Road Traffic; Article 96-(1) of the Road Traffic Act)
√ 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic
√ 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic
√ Convention, treaty or agreement on international driver’s license recognized by Korea and a foreign country
Issue of an International Driver's Permit
Eligibility for an International Driver's Permit
- Drivers qualified with the Republic of Korea driver’s license shall acquire an international driver's license (as per Enclosure Form No. 90 of the “Enforcement Rules of the Road Traffic Act”) under the “Convention on Road Traffic” to drive overseas. According to Article 98, paragraph 1 of the “Road Traffic Act” and the “Enforcement Rules of the Road Traffic Act,” the driver shall apply (Application Form No. 59 of the “Enforcement Rules of the Road Traffic Act”) with one picture attached for submission to the commissioners of city/province police agencies or the Road Traffic Authority.
- The applicant shall submit a copy of his/her passport (or present the passport) if not consenting to passport information confirmation through Sharing Administrative Information under Article 36 (1) of the “E-Government Act” (Article 98 (2) of the “Enforcement Rules of the Road Traffic Act”).
- A holder of a motor bicycle driver's license or a temporary driving license is not eligible for an international driver's permit. (Article 98 (1) of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act)
Effect of an International Driver's Permit
- An international driver's permit is valid for one year from the date of issue. (Article 98 (2) of the Road Traffic Act)
- If the Korean driver's license held by the holder of an international driver's permit becomes invalid or is canceled, the international driver's permit also becomes invalid. When a Korean driver's license is suspended for a period of time, the international driver's permit corresponding to said Korean driver's license also becomes suspended for the same period. (Articles 98 (3) and (4) of the Road Traffic Act)
※ Instructions for Using an International Driver's Permit
· As per applicable international conventions, an international driver's license loses its validity one year after the license holder enters a foreign country.
· In Korea, as in most foreign countries including the US, driving with an international driver's license without a Korean driver's license and passport constitutes driving without a license. Please keep your international driver's license, Korean driver's license, and passport with you at all times when driving. Please be aware that the scope of recognition for an international driver’s license may vary by state (in the U.S., Canada, etc.). Therefore, please consult with the relevant embassy to verify that your international driver’s license is valid in the state(s) you plan to visit.
· Your international driver's permit is not valid if the spelling of your name on your international driver's permit does not match the spelling of your name on your passport, or if the signature on your international driver's permit does not match the signature on your passport.
Countries in Which You Can Drive with an International Driver's Permit Issued in Korea
- You can drive with an international driver's permit issued in Korea in countries that are party to the Geneva Convention.
Replacement of a Korean Driver's License with a Foreign Driver's License
- Some countries will issue you a driver's license after an aptitude test only if you hold a Korean driver's license. In these countries, you can get a replacement driver's license in the same way that an exemption from the driver's license exam is granted in Korea. (Article 84 (2) of the Road Traffic Act)