Introduction
I’ve been living in Korea for almost five years now, but I rarely get the chance to drive. Public transportation is convenient, taxis are relatively affordable, and living in Seoul, I never really felt the need to own a car. So exchanging my German driver’s license for a Korean one was never a priority.
I also assumed the process would be quite troublesome. Getting documents from Germany, visiting different offices, taking tests, and potentially giving up my German driver’s license didn’t sound particularly appealing.
But recently, my International Driving Permit issued in Germany expired. Without a valid permit, I couldn’t simply continue using my German license to drive in Korea or other countries outside the EU where an international permit is required. I could have applied for another one in Germany, but since I’m living in Korea, I started looking into exchanging my license instead.
To my surprise, the process was much easier than I expected. Germany has an agreement with South Korea that allows German driver’s license holders to exchange their licenses without taking a written or practical driving test. You only need to prepare a few documents, complete an eyesight test, and visit a driver’s license examination center.
One thing I was particularly happy to learn is that handing over your German driver’s license doesn’t mean losing it permanently. You can request to have it returned when leaving Korea by providing proof of departure. From what I’ve heard, you may also be able to keep both licenses afterward, rather than having to exchange them back and forth. However, I haven’t personally verified this part of the process, so it’s worth confirming with the examination center.
Today, I’ll walk you through the process based on my experience exchanging my German driver’s license in Seoul, including the documents, costs, and what actually happens at the examination center.
What You Need Before Getting Started
I’m assuming you’re already living in Korea and have the following documents:
- Your original German driver’s license (Führerschein)
- Your German passport
- Your Korean Residence Card (ARC)
These are the documents you probably already have. The remaining paperwork requires visiting the German Embassy and your local 주민센터 Community Center before going to the driver’s license examination center.
You’ll also need passport photos, a document confirming your German driver’s license, and a record of your entries and departures from Korea.
The good news is that you don’t need to travel back to Germany to prepare everything.
Step 1: Get Your Führerscheinbescheinigung From the German Embassy
The first thing you’ll need is a Führerscheinbescheinigung, which is a certificate confirming the validity of your German driver’s license.
You can request this document through the German Embassy in Seoul.
Visit the embassy’s website and make an appointment for driver’s license-related services. Bring your German passport and original driver’s license.
During the appointment, the embassy will check your documents and arrange for the certificate to be issued.
In my case, I was told that it would take approximately two weeks and that the document would be sent to my Korean address.
The certificate cost me 56,000 KRW (approximately €37).
This is probably the step that takes the longest, so I’d recommend arranging it first. While waiting for the certificate, you can prepare the remaining documents.
You can find information about consular services and appointments on the German Embassy Seoul website.
Make sure to check the current requirements and fees before visiting, as embassy procedures can change.
Step 2: Get Your Entry and Departure Record at the 주민센터
The next document you’ll need is called 출입국에 관한 사실증명 (Certificate of Entry and Exit), which shows your immigration entry and departure history.
The Korean driver’s license examination center uses this record to verify your travel history, including whether you were in Germany for the required period associated with obtaining your license.
You can request this document at your local 주민센터 (Community Service Center).
Simply bring your Residence Card and ask for:
출입국에 관한 사실증명 발급해주세요. 운전면허 교환.
This means, “Please issue a Certificate of Entry and Exit for Exchanging my Driver’s License.”
When requesting the document, make sure the record covers your history from your date of birth rather than just the last few years.
You might wonder why they need such a long record. The reason is that Korea wants to verify that your foreign driver’s license was obtained legitimately while you were residing in the country that issued it.
I initially tried getting the document online, but the government website didn’t allow me to apply through the option I selected as a foreign resident. So visiting the 주민센터 was the easier solution.
The document cost me 1,000 KRW, and I received it directly at the counter.
One thing worth mentioning is that the Korean immigration record might not show every trip you’ve taken throughout your life. It generally reflects the records available to Korean immigration authorities, so don’t be surprised if your earlier travel history is missing.
Step 3: Prepare Your Passport Photos
You’ll also need passport photos for your Korean driver’s license.
The standard size is 3.5 × 4.5 cm, which is the same size commonly used for Korean identification documents.
You can get these taken at a photo studio or use an appropriate set of recent photos you already have.
I’d recommend bringing three photos to be safe, although the exact number required can depend on the application process.
The cost depends on where you get your photos taken, so I haven’t included it in the total below.
Step 4: Visit a Driver’s License Examination Center
Once you’ve collected everything, you can visit a Korean driver’s license examination center, called 운전면허시험장.
Since I live in western Seoul, I went to the Seobu Driver’s License Examination Center (서부운전면허시험장) near Sangam.
You don’t necessarily have to visit this particular center. Other driver’s license examination centers in Korea also handle foreign license exchanges, although it’s worth checking in advance because not every location provides the same services.
Before leaving home, make sure you have:
- Original German driver’s license
- German passport
- Korean Residence Card (ARC)
- Führerscheinbescheinigung from the German Embassy
- 출입국에 관한 사실증명 (Certificate of Entry and Exit)
- Passport photos (3.5 × 4.5 cm)
- A payment card or cash for the required fees
Depending on your documents, the examination center may also request additional proof or translations. It’s worth checking the current requirements before your visit.
Step 5: Take a Number for Foreign Driver’s License Exchange
When you arrive at the examination center, you’ll find different counters handling driver’s license applications, renewals, tests, and exchanges.
Look for the section dealing with foreign driver’s licenses, usually marked 외국면허 or 외국면허 교환.
Take a waiting number from the ticket machine and wait until your number appears.
When you’re called, go to the counter and explain that you want to exchange your German driver’s license for a Korean one.
You can simply say:
독일 운전면허증을 한국 운전면허증으로 교환하고 싶습니다.
This means, “I’d like to exchange my German driver’s license for a Korean one.”
Hand over your documents so the staff can check whether everything is complete.
Step 6: Fill Out the Application Forms
After checking my documents, the staff handed me the application forms that I needed to complete.
This was probably the part that took me the longest during the entire visit.
The forms were in Korean, and while most of the information was straightforward, I wasn’t entirely sure what to enter in some of the fields.
So I did what I usually do when I encounter Korean paperwork these days. I took a picture of the form, uploaded it to ChatGPT, and asked it to help me fill everything out.
It turned out to be much easier than trying to translate every field myself.
Most of the form simply asked for personal information, such as my name, address, contact details, and information about my existing driver’s license. I also had to sign my name in around four different places.
Once everything was filled out, I took the form with me to the physical examination area.
If you’re not comfortable reading Korean, I’d recommend using a translation app or ChatGPT to help you understand the fields. Just make sure to double-check your personal information before submitting anything. I messed up a couple times on some fields, but just cross it out and make corrections, it doesn’t have to be perfect!
Step 7: Take the Eyesight Test
The next step is a basic physical examination, called 신체검사.
Since Germany is one of the countries whose driver’s licenses can be exchanged without a written or practical driving test, this is generally the only examination you’ll need for an ordinary passenger-car license.
At the examination center, I was directed to the medical examination area with my completed application form.
The examination cost 7,000 KRW.
The test itself was very simple. You stand in front of a board with letters or symbols and read what you can see, just like a regular eyesight test.
If you normally wear glasses or contact lenses while driving, make sure to bring them.
Once I passed, the staff stamped and approved the examination section on my application form.
With that completed, I could return to the driver’s license counter for the final steps.
Step 8: Return to the Counter and Submit Your Application
After finishing the eyesight test, I returned to the main driver’s license area.
I had to take another waiting number and wait for my turn again.
In my case, I was directed to Counter 1, where I handed over the completed application form with the examination approval.
The staff checked my documents and continued processing the application.
For the Korean driver’s license, I paid 16,000 KRW, consisting of:
- 15,000 KRW for the physical driver’s license card
- 1,000 KRW for the mobile driver’s license option (optional)
After submitting everything, I was told to wait until my name was called for the card to be issued.
Step 9: Collect Your Korean Driver’s License
Once your application has been processed, you’ll need to wait for your name to be called at Counter 0 or 1, where they print and issue the actual driver’s license.
Unlike the earlier steps, where you wait for your ticket number, this time they call you by name.
When I was called, the staff showed me my newly printed Korean driver’s license and asked me to check whether all the information was correct.
Make sure to double-check your name, date of birth, and other personal details before confirming.
Since I had also applied for the mobile driver’s license option, they asked me to choose a four-digit PIN for the card.
Make sure you remember this PIN! You’ll need it later when registering your driver’s license in the Korean mobile driver’s license application.
Once everything was confirmed, I received my Korean driver’s license.
At this point, you’re officially done with the exchange process and can use your Korean license to drive, provided you meet the usual insurance and vehicle requirements.
But since I was already at the examination center, I decided to take care of one more thing.
Step 10: Apply for an International Driving Permit
Since my German International Driving Permit had expired, I also wanted to get a new one issued in Korea.
The Korean International Driving Permit (국제운전면허증) is valid for one year and allows you to drive in countries that recognize it, subject to their local requirements.
You can apply for it directly at the same driver’s license examination center.
After receiving my new Korean driver’s license, I took another waiting number and returned to the counter.
This time, the application was even easier because I already had my Korean license.
You’ll need to show:
- Your passport
- Your Korean Residence Card (ARC)
- Your newly issued Korean driver’s license
- One additional passport photo (3.5 × 4.5 cm)
This is why I recommended preparing four passport photos in advance if you want to complete everything in one visit.
The International Driving Permit cost me 9,000 KRW.
Once the application was processed, I received my International Driving Permit, which is valid for one year from the date of issuance.
And that’s it! You now have your Korean driver’s license and an International Driving Permit, so you’re all set to drive in Korea and in other countries that recognize the permit.
Just remember that the International Driving Permit is only valid together with your Korean driver’s license, and some countries may also require you to carry your passport.
What Happens to Your German Driver’s License?
This was one of the biggest reasons I had postponed exchanging my license.
I didn’t want to give up my German driver’s license permanently, especially because I still travel to Germany and other European countries.
When exchanging a foreign driver’s license in Korea, the examination center generally keeps your original foreign license.
However, you can request to have it returned when you’re leaving Korea by showing proof of departure, such as a flight ticket.
From what I’ve heard, it may be possible to keep your German license after retrieving it, meaning you wouldn’t necessarily have to exchange the two licenses every time you travel.
I haven’t gone through this particular process myself yet, so I can’t confirm whether you can permanently keep both licenses in your possession. Official guidance generally describes a procedure where the Korean license is surrendered when the foreign license is returned.
If you travel frequently, I’d recommend asking the examination center about the exact requirements when you apply.
At least you don’t have to worry about permanently losing your German driver’s license just because you exchanged it for a Korean one.
Can You Drive in Germany With Your Korean Driver’s License?
If you have a Korean driver’s license, you may also be able to use it when traveling abroad, depending on the country and its requirements.
Korea issues International Driving Permits, which can be useful when traveling to countries that recognize them.
However, whether you can drive in Germany using your Korean license or a Korean International Driving Permit depends on the applicable German rules, including your residency status and the type of license you hold.
If you are still registered as a resident in Germany, different rules may apply compared with someone visiting Germany temporarily.
So before driving abroad, check the requirements for the specific country rather than assuming your Korean license will automatically be accepted everywhere.
How Much Does It Cost to Exchange Your German Driver’s License in Korea?
Here’s what I paid throughout the entire process:
So the entire process cost me 89,000 KRW, including the International Driving Permit and mobile license option, but excluding passport photos.
If you only want the Korean driver’s license without the international permit, the total would be 80,000 KRW based on what I paid.
The German Embassy certificate was by far the most expensive part of the process. Everything else was relatively affordable.
Keep in mind that these are the fees I paid in 2026, and they may change in the future.
Was It Worth Exchanging My German Driver’s License?
Looking back, I probably should have done this much earlier.
For years, I thought exchanging my driver’s license would involve a complicated process, additional driving tests, and potentially losing my German license.
In reality, the most time-consuming part was preparing the documents, particularly waiting for the certificate from the German Embassy.
And once I arrived at the driver’s license examination center, filling out the Korean application form probably took me longer than the actual examination.
The eyesight test was straightforward, and the staff guided me through the remaining steps.
Even though I still don’t drive very often in Korea, having a Korean driver’s license is convenient. I no longer have to worry about renewing my German International Driving Permit just to drive here.
It’s also useful if I want to rent a car, borrow a friend’s car, or travel somewhere in Korea where public transportation isn’t as convenient.
Of course, you’ll still need appropriate car insurance, and if you’re borrowing someone else’s car, you should make sure you’re covered under their policy.
If you’ve been living in Korea for a while and have been postponing your driver’s license exchange for the same reasons I did, it might be worth looking into.
Sometimes these administrative procedures seem much more complicated than they actually are. And once you start preparing the documents, you realize that most of the work is simply knowing which office to visit and what to bring.
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