Do I need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in South Korea?

If you’re an American, the short answer is yes. In most cases, U.S. travelers must have an IDP along with their valid U.S. driver’s license to legally drive in South Korea.

IDP Requirements for Driving in South Korea

South Korea recognizes International Driving Permits issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention, which includes those issued in the United States. This means that American travelers can use an IDP along with their U.S. driver’s license to rent a car and drive in South Korea for up to one year from the date when their IDP was issued.

What About Other Nationalities?

If you're from another country, your ability to use an IDP in South Korea depends on whether your home country follows the 1949 IDP standards. If your country issues 1968 IDPs or no IDPs, you may not be able to drive in South Korea. Depending on the country you are from, some travelers may need to obtain a Korean driver's license instead of being able to use an IDP in conjunction with their home-country driver’s license. To be sure, check with the South Korean embassy in your country.

How to Get an IDP as an American

If you’re an American, you have two primary options for obtaining an International Driving Permit:

Through AAA – The American Automobile Association (AAA) is the only active official provider of IDPs in the U.S. You can apply in person at a local AAA office, by mail, in some geographies, online. You’ll need:
- A completed IDP application form
- A valid U.S. driver’s license
- Two passport-sized photos
- Money to cover fees (These vary widely, but in-person fees include $20 for the permit booklet plus $10-20 for passport photos. If you’re applying by mail or online, you have to pay both those fees, plus shipping, which ranges from ~$10-200+)
Through Fast IDP – If you want to expedite the process, Fast IDP can receive your application, go to AAA on your behalf to have it processed, and express ship it to you. This is a great option if you don’t want to go to a AAA office, or if you’re far away from a AAA office and need an IDP more quickly than AAA itself will ship one to you.

If you’d like more details, you can find a full blog post we wrote here about different ways to get an IDP if you’re already abroad.

Avoid Scam IDPs

Unfortunately, there are many websites that claim to issue “International Driver’s Licenses” or “Digital International Driving Permits” online. These are scams — AAA is the only authorized issuer of IDPs active in the U.S. Always be cautious and only use trusted sources like AAA or Fast IDP to obtain a legitimate IDP. Check the reviews of a company you’re thinking about using before giving them your credit card information or other personal information.

If you’ve had a different experience, let us know

If you've recently traveled to South Korea and had a different experience regarding IDP requirements, let us know so we can update this post to help other travelers.