If you need to drive a vehicle on an overseas trip or business trip, you must obtain an international driver’s license. In the meantime, you can apply for issuance online and receive it by registered certificate without having to visit a license examination center or police station. However, only 350 applications are accepted per day on a first-come, first-served basis, so if you are in a hurry, please apply quickly.
Click here to apply for international license issuance online >
From now on, we will take a closer look at which countries require an international driver’s license and where an international driver’s license can be issued.
index
What is an international license?
How to issue an international driver’s license
How to issue an international driver’s license online
How to issue an international driver’s license in person
Required materials for issuance of international driver’s license
Time required to issue an international driver’s license
Precautions when issuing an international driver’s license
What is an international license?
An international driver’s license is a certificate that allows a person who has obtained a driver’s license in Korea to drive abroad. It can be used in 97 countries that have joined the International Road Traffic Convention, and when using it, you must bring your driver’s license and an international driver’s license.
Check the countries where an international driver’s license can be used
Once issued, an international driver’s license cannot be used forever; it is only valid for one year. If you are applying for issuance for the first time or the expiration date is not long, please carefully check how to issue an international driver’s license online from now on.
How to issue an international driver’s license
Until now, the only way to issue an international driver’s license was through in-person application, but now it is also possible to apply for issuance online. In addition, emergency issuance is possible at the airport. We will now check each issuance method.
How to issue an international driver’s license online
If you are short on time, try using the online issuance of an international driver’s license. You can easily issue an international driver’s license by using the [Safe Driving Integrated Civil Service] website operated by the Road Traffic Authority.
Go to online issuance application >
After accessing the Safe Driving Comprehensive Complaints Site, select [Driver’s License Mobile Issuance > International Driver’s License] on the main screen.
After entering your name and resident registration number and going through the identity verification process through simple authentication or public authentication, you will be taken to the application page for issuance of an international driver’s license.
The issuance application process is completed by following the following steps: agree to the terms and conditions/select receipt and date/register contact information/register photo/pay. When registering an online issuance photo, you must attach a passport photo taken within the past 6 months in a file format such as png.
When issuing an international driver’s license online, you can also receive it by registered mail, so please select your preferred method of receipt. If you apply by registered mail, the online international driver’s license issuance fee is 12,300 won, including the registration fee.
Online issuance application time: 07:30 ~ 22:00 (350 applications on a first-come, first-served basis)
Issuance cost: 8,500 won for issuance fee + 3,800 won for registered shipping fee
Only 350 online issuance applications can be made per day from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. If the application deadline is closed, you must reapply the next day.
How to issue an international driver’s license in person
Applications can be made in person at driver’s license test centers nationwide, police stations’ civil service offices, 220 local governments in agreement with the Road Traffic Authority, and Incheon Airport.
International driver’s license issuing agency inquiry
Applications for issuance of an international driver’s license through Incheon International Airport can be made at the International Driver’s License Issuance Center of the Tourism Police Bureau on the 3rd floor of Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 or within the Government Complex on the 2nd floor of Terminal 2.
Incheon Airport Terminal 1 location: 3rd floor, central area (5-38-03), within the police security center
Incheon Airport Terminal 2 Location: Inside the Government Administration Center Police Security Center on the 2nd floor
Operating hours: 09:00 ~ 18:00 (lunch time 12:00 ~ 13:00 and closed on weekends and public holidays)
The issuance fee is the same at 8,500 won, and issuance is only available during business hours from 9:00 to 6:00.
We are not open on public holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and we do not provide issuance services from 12:00 to 1:00 for lunch, so you should avoid visiting during those times to ensure smooth issuance.
Required materials for issuance of international driver’s license
Essentials for issuance of an international driver’s license include a passport, driver’s license, one passport-size photo taken within 6 months, and the issuance fee.
If a representative applies, the applicant must additionally attach his/her own ID card, agent ID card, and power of attorney.
The basic international license issuance fee is 8,500 won, and when issuing online, a registered shipping fee of 3,800 won is added.
Time required to issue an international driver’s license
If you apply online, the issuance time for an international driver’s license may take at least 7 days to as long as 14 days until you receive the registered shipment. If you apply in person, you can receive an international driver’s license on the same day.
Precautions when issuing an international driver’s license
When issuing an international driver’s license, the spelling on the passport and the English name on the international driver’s license must be the same, and the signature must also be the same for it to be recognized as valid. It is most important to double-check your spelling when applying.
When issuing an international driver’s license, there must be no unpaid traffic law fines or fines. If there is an unpaid amount, the issuance process can proceed after the amount is paid in full. It takes one day for it to be reflected in the system. If the issuance is urgent, you must prove the payment by submitting a payment history receipt to process the transaction.