Quick Answer
- Visitors normally need an original International Driving Permit (IDP), their home-country licence, a passport and a credit card. A translated licence or an “international driver’s license” card is not a substitute for an IDP.
- Korea drives on the right, with the driver’s seat on the left. Distances and speed limits use kilometres and km/h.
- For major rental brands, a typical minimum is age 21 with at least one year of driving experience, but vehicle class and company rules can be stricter.
| Bring to pick-up | Original IDP, home licence, passport, and the payment card required by the rental company |
|---|---|
| Right side of road? | Yes. The driver sits on the left. |
| Navigation | Use Naver Map or Kakao Map for driving directions; Google Maps does not provide driving navigation in Korea. |
| Highway tolls | Ask whether the rental has Hi-pass. Use a staffed/cash-card lane if it does not. |
A rental car can be useful for Jeju, smaller cities, national parks and rural stops. In central Seoul, however, traffic, parking and unfamiliar intersections can make rail or taxi travel easier. Treat a car as a tool for the parts of your itinerary where it genuinely saves time.
What foreign visitors need before booking
1. Use a real IDP, not a look-alike document
VisitKorea and major rental companies require a valid IDP or a Korean licence. For short-term visitors, the IDP should be issued in the same country as the home licence and recognized under the Geneva or Vienna Convention. Carry the paper original; SK Rent a Car states that plastic “international” cards and a translated home licence are not accepted.
Your passport name and IDP name must match. Bring your original home-country licence too: companies may use it to verify driving experience. The permitted vehicle category on the IDP matters, especially for vans and motorcycles.
2. Check your age, experience and payment method
Lotte and SK publish age 21 and one year of driving experience as common baseline requirements for ordinary cars. Premium cars, large vans and some branches may require more. Foreign renters are commonly asked for a credit card in the driver’s name, and a debit card or cash may not be accepted at every desk.
3. Read the insurance line by line
Basic rental insurance often addresses personal injury and third-party damage, while protection for the rental car itself may be included only at a particular level or sold as an option. Before paying, ask about collision damage waiver, deductible/excess, theft, tyres/wheels, roadside help, exclusions and any loss-of-use charge. Take clear photos or video of every existing mark at pick-up and return.
Foreign-visitor-friendly rental companies to check
These are practical starting points because they publish English-language rental information. They are not a ranking or a guarantee of availability; compare live quotes, branch hours and the exact eligibility for your passport and IDP.
| Company | Why it is useful for visitors | Check before payment |
|---|---|---|
| Lotte Rent-a-Car | English booking and detailed IDP, passport and payment requirements; broad Korean network. | Vehicle class, pick-up branch, insurance tier and IDP category. |
| SK Rent a Car | English qualification page that clearly explains original paper IDP, matching passport name and home-licence checks. | Driving-experience proof, payment card and any Jeju branch conditions. |
| Hertz Korea | International booking interface and published Korea IDP guidance, including one-way information for mainland rentals. | Actual collection location, hours, one-way surcharge and local insurance terms. |
How to book and pick up without surprises
- Reserve with the driver’s exact passport spelling, then save the confirmation offline.
- Ask whether the desk is inside the terminal, at an airport rental centre, or requires a shuttle.
- At the desk, show originals, register every extra driver and confirm the fuel/charging and return policy.
- Check if Hi-pass is installed. Do not enter a Hi-pass-only toll lane in a car that does not have the device.
- Set navigation before moving. VisitKorea recommends Naver Map or Kakao Map for multilingual driving guidance.
Driving in Korea: the differences that matter first
Keep right. For drivers from the UK, Ireland, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and other left-driving places, the first adjustment is substantial: the steering wheel is on the left, you drive on the right, and left turns cross the centre of the intersection. Practice somewhere quiet before entering a dense city route.
Traffic lights, lane arrows and lane choice deserve more attention than speed. Turn lanes can separate early, and a green arrow controls the movement shown. Do not assume a familiar rule from home applies at a Korean junction: protect pedestrians and cyclists, and follow the signal, lane marking and posted sign in front of you.
Motorcycle and scooter rental: treat it as a separate decision
Do not assume that a car IDP automatically authorizes a scooter or motorcycle. Your IDP must show the correct two-wheeled/motorcycle category for the vehicle. Korea’s practical-law guidance lists motorcycles over 125cc and smaller motor-driven cycles as separate licence categories, and local rental conditions can be stricter than the general legal minimum.
- Over 125cc: expect a motorcycle endorsement/category check. Korea Motorcycle Rental’s English guide, for example, says rentals over 125cc require a Class 2 Motorcycle Licence.
- Availability: foreigner-friendly motorcycle rental is much less standardized than car rental. Contact the provider before arrival and ask about IDP category, deposit, protective gear, accident process and insurance.
- Expressways: motorcycles and scooters are not allowed on Korean expressways. Plan a surface-road route instead.
- Small electric sharing scooters: app eligibility, ID verification and helmet requirements vary. Do not treat a tourist passport and car licence as automatic approval.
For visitors who specifically want a motorcycle, Korea Motorcycle Rental publishes an English guide. Verify its current vehicle, licence and insurance requirements directly; this is not an endorsement.
If something goes wrong
Stop safely, check for injuries and call 119 for ambulance/fire or 112 for police when needed. Contact the rental company immediately, take photos, keep receipts and do not agree to repairs or move the vehicle beyond safety needs without its instructions. VisitKorea also advises documenting an accident and contacting the rental agency promptly.
FAQ
Can I rent a car in Korea with only my normal driver’s licence?
Usually no for a short visit. Major companies normally require a valid IDP or a Korean licence, plus passport and payment documentation. Confirm the exact rule with your chosen branch before booking.
Can I use Google Maps to drive in Korea?
Google Maps can help with place discovery, but it does not provide turn-by-turn driving navigation in Korea. Use Naver Map or Kakao Map for driving routes.
Is a car or scooter better for a first Korea trip?
For most first-time visitors, a car is the more realistic self-drive option outside central Seoul. A scooter or motorcycle requires a correct licence category, protective gear, more defensive riding and a route that avoids expressways.
Last checked: August 25, 2026. Rental eligibility, coverage and prices can change by company, branch, vehicle and country of licence issue.
Sources
- Korea Tourism Organization: Driving in Korea
- Korea Tourism Organization: Rental Cars
- SK Rent a Car: Rental Qualification
- Lotte Rent-a-Car: Rental Information
- Easy Law: Using a Foreign Driver’s License
