Documents You Need for a Korean Driver's License
Bring the right papers to each step. If you forget something, you may have to come back another day.
Who can apply
- Foreigners registered in Korea with an Alien Registration Card (ARC, 외국인등록증).
- Overseas Koreans (for example F-4 visa) with a Domestic Residence Report Card (국내거소신고증). Use it in place of the ARC.
- Korean nationals use their resident registration card.
No ARC yet? Ask the test center or call 1577-1120 before you go.
Basic items
- ARC (or 거소신고증) – the original card.
- Passport – bring it too, in case staff need to check your identity.
- Photos – 3 color photos, 3.5 × 4.5 cm, passport style. Head and shoulders, no hat, plain background, taken within 6 months. You need 1 more photo when you get your license card.
- Application form (응시원서) – you get it at your first registration. Keep it! It records each test you pass. You need it at every step. A new one costs 1,000 KRW.
What to bring at each step
| Step | Bring |
|---|---|
| Safety education | ID (ARC) |
| Medical check | ID, 3 photos |
| Written test | ID, medical check result, photos (for the application form) |
| Skills test | ID, application form |
| Practice license | ID, application form |
| Road test | ID, application form, practice license |
| License issue | ID, application form, 1 photo |
Medical check: if you had a national health checkup (NHIS), the center may be able to look up your result instead.
Exchanging a foreign license
You need more documents: your original foreign license, passport, ARC, 3 photos, an embassy confirmation or apostille (issued within 1 year), and an entry & exit certificate. See Exchange a foreign license.
Sources: Fees and documents · Written test · Road test · Foreign license exchange · KOROAD English guide