Get your Korean driver's licence with English theory, English test preparation and practical driving support at Anyang Driving School. SDA is located just south of Seoul, approximately five minutes on foot from Gwanak Station on Subway Line 1. Foreign residents can complete their theory education, practical training, skills test and road test through one licensed driving academy.
An SDA graduate with her newly issued Korean driver's licence
Tell us which licence you need and when you want to start. We usually reply in English on the same day.
80%+ pass rate
1,000+ foreign students licensed
Six training days, typically
Saturday English theory class
Class 1 and Class 2 available
Three-month interest-free card installments
Is There an English Driving School for Foreigners Near Seoul?
Yes. Anyang Driving School, also known as SDA, is a licensed Korean driving academy located near the southern boundary of Seoul. The academy is approximately five minutes from Gwanak Station on Line 1 and provides a structured licence program for foreign residents. English theory classes are held every Saturday, and the official Korean driving written test can be taken in English.
SDA also provides practical course training, on-road lessons, on-site skills tests and road tests. Most Class 1 and Class 2 students complete the required education over approximately six training days, depending on their availability and test results.
English support
Theory, study guidance and practical training support
Location
599 Anyang-ro, Manan-gu, Anyang-si
Nearest station
Gwanak Station, Line 1, Exit 1
English class
Saturday, 13:00–16:00
Most popular course
Class 2 Regular
Class 2 course fee
765,000 KRW including VAT
Straight answer
Why Choose a Driving School Near Seoul Instead of One in Central Seoul?
SDA is not located inside the administrative boundary of Seoul. It is in Anyang, immediately south of the city. We make this clear because students should know exactly where they will attend their lessons and tests before enrolling.
Direct access from Line 1
Gwanak Station is on Seoul Metropolitan Subway Line 1. Students travelling from Seoul Station, Yongsan and southwest Seoul can reach the area without travelling far outside the metropolitan transit network.
A complete licensed driving course
SDA has its own classroom, technical driving circuit, training vehicles and approved testing facilities. Students practise on the same course where the academy conducts its skills tests.
Flexible practical training
After completing the Saturday English theory class, course practice and road-driving lessons can be scheduled between 09:00 and 20:00.
Tests arranged through one academy
SDA guides students through registration, training, the skills test and the road test. The official written examination is taken at a Korea Road Traffic Authority examination centre.
Getting here
How to Get to SDA from Seoul
The nearest subway station is Gwanak Station on Line 1, not Seoul National University Station. Use Exit 1 and walk approximately five minutes to 599 Anyang-ro, Manan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 안양시 만안구 안양로 599).
Starting area
Recommended route
Estimated total time
Seoul Station
Line 1 toward Gwanak Station
Approximately 45–50 min
Yongsan Station
Line 1 via Guro to Gwanak Station
Approximately 40–45 min
Hongdae
Line 2 to Sindorim, transfer to Line 1
Approximately 45–50 min
Gangnam
Line 2 to Sindorim, transfer to Line 1
Approximately 55–65 min
Itaewon
Line 6 with transfer toward Line 1
Approximately 50–65 min
Gwangmyeong KTX Station
Taxi or local bus
Approximately 10–15 min
Swipe the table to see all columns.
Travel times are estimates and may change according to transfers, waiting times and traffic. Check Naver Map or KakaoMap before travelling.
Gwanak Station Exit 1 · Approximately five minutes on foot
Is this for you?
Who Should Join the English Driving Program?
Do not currently hold a driving licence
Have never driven before
Have a foreign licence that cannot be exchanged in Korea
Prefer to obtain a new Korean licence instead of exchanging a foreign licence
Need English explanations of Korean traffic rules
Want to take the Korean written test in English
Need practical training before the skills and road tests
Live in Seoul, Anyang, Gwangmyeong, Suwon or the surrounding area
Not sure whether to exchange or apply for a new licence?
If you already hold a full foreign driving licence, you may be eligible to exchange it for a Korean licence. The requirements depend on the issuing country and the documents you can provide. But exchange isn't automatically the quicker or cheaper option — Apostille or embassy authentication, entry-exit certificates and translation costs add up, and can take longer than SDA's six-day English programme. Compare both routes before paying for either one.
Class 1 or Class 2: Which Korean Licence Do You Need?
For most foreign residents who want to drive a normal passenger car, SUV or rental car, Class 2 Regular is the most suitable option. Choose Class 1 only if you need to drive larger vans, light trucks or other vehicles outside the normal Class 2 range.
Programme fees
Class 2 Regular →Passenger cars, SUVs and common rental vehiclesTheory 3 h + Course 4 h + Road 6 h
765,000KRW
Class 1 Regular →Vans up to 15 seats and qualifying light trucksTheory 3 h + Course 4 h + Road 6 h
795,000KRW
All programme fees include 10% VAT.
Item
Fee (KRW)
Skills test
55,000 per attempt
Road driving test
55,000 per attempt
Textbook (if purchased separately)
25,000
Licence issuance and other administrative charges
May apply
Programme + first test attempts
Class 2 Regular765,000 programme + 110,000 test fees
875,000KRW
Class 1 Regular795,000 programme + 110,000 test fees
905,000KRW
Textbook, licence issuance, medical screening and other applicable administrative items should be displayed separately. Retest fees apply if another attempt is required.
Get Your Korean Driver's Licence in Six Training Days
The exact dates can be arranged around your availability after the Saturday English theory class.
Day 1
Registration and English theory
Visit SDA on Saturday before 12:00 with your Alien Registration Card and two photographs. The English theory class runs from 13:00 to 16:00.
ARC requiredSaturday 13:00–16:00English
Day 2
Official written examination
Take the official written test at a Korea Road Traffic Authority examination centre. The test is available in English. Class 1 applicants must score at least 70, while Class 2 applicants must score at least 60.
KoRoad centreEnglish available
Days 3–4
Technical course practice
Complete four hours of practical training on SDA's closed driving circuit — vehicle controls, starting and stopping, lane positioning, hill starts, emergency stopping, intersections and signals, parking and reversing, and the tasks included in the official skills test.
4 hoursClosed circuit
Day 4
Skills test
Take the skills test on SDA's approved course. The passing score for Class 1 and Class 2 Regular is 80 out of 100.
Pass 80/100
Days 5–6
On-road driving lessons
Complete six hours of on-road training with a qualified instructor — lane changes, turning at intersections, traffic-light procedures, speed management, road positioning, pedestrian crossings, navigation instructions and common road-test deduction points.
6 hoursReal traffic
Final step
Road test and licence issuance
Take the road test on one of the routes used during your practical training. The passing score is 70 out of 100. After passing, the Korean driver's licence is normally issued according to the academy's current processing schedule.
Pass 70/100
Important note: six days refers to the usual number of training days. Completion time can change depending on lesson availability, examination schedules and whether any test must be retaken.
English support
What Parts of the Korean Driving Licence Process Are Available in English?
English theory education at SDA
The mandatory three-hour theory program is taught in English every Saturday from 13:00 to 16:00.
English study materials
Students receive guidance on Korean traffic rules, road signs and the official test format.
Official written examination in English
The Korean written driving test is available in English at Korea Road Traffic Authority examination centres.
Practical training support
SDA instructors have experience teaching foreign students and explaining the required course and road-driving tasks in English.
Registration and scheduling assistance
The SDA team helps students understand where to go, what to bring and which test must be completed next.
Accuracy note: the official written test is taken at a Korea Road Traffic Authority examination centre, not inside SDA. The technical skills test and road test can be conducted through the academy according to its current schedule.
A valid Alien Registration Card is required for the foreign-resident program. Eligible residents may include holders of D, E, F and H visa categories, subject to the applicant's individual status.
Two colour photographs
Bring two recent photographs measuring 3.5 × 4.5 cm. A photo booth is available at the academy if you need photographs on the day.
Minimum age
Applicants for Class 1 Regular and Class 2 Regular must be at least 18 years old.
No foreign licence required
You can apply for a Korean driver's licence from the beginning even if you have never held a licence in another country.
Tourist entry: visitors without an Alien Registration Card are not eligible for SDA's full foreign-resident licence program.
Send your nationality, visa status and preferred licence type. We will tell you which course applies.
Real campus
Train and Test at a Real Licensed Driving Academy
The classroom, driving course and vehicles shown here are the same facilities used by SDA students.
Foreign student after passing the Korean driving testSaturday English theory classTechnical course practiceOne-to-one instruction in EnglishSix hours of on-road trainingSDA entrance and school sign
Reviews
What Foreign Students Say About SDA
Unedited reviews, pulled live from our Google Business Profile.
Arrive between 12:00 and 12:30 to complete registration before the Saturday class begins. The academy runs seven days a week, except the main days of Seollal and Chuseok. Test schedules may change — confirm the current date before visiting.
Learn the rules and understand the process without depending on Korean-language explanations alone.
Transparent pricing
Course fees and examination fees are displayed separately before enrolment.
Practical test facilities
Train on SDA's licensed course and complete your academy skills test on the same site.
Flexible lesson times
Schedule practical driving lessons seven days a week between 09:00 and 20:00.
Experience with foreign residents
More than 1,000 foreign students have completed licence training through SDA.
Easy access from southern Seoul
Five minutes from Gwanak Station on Line 1 and approximately ten minutes by car from Gwangmyeong KTX Station.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SDA located inside Seoul?
No. SDA is located in Anyang, immediately south of Seoul. It is approximately five minutes on foot from Gwanak Station on Line 1. The location is accessible from Seoul Station, Yongsan, Hongdae, Gangnam and other Seoul neighbourhoods.
Can a foreigner get a Korean driver's licence?
Yes. A foreign resident who meets the age and identification requirements can apply for a Korean driver's licence. SDA requires a valid Alien Registration Card and two recent photographs for enrolment.
Do I need to speak Korean?
No Korean-language ability is required for the Saturday English theory class. The official written test is available in English, and SDA provides English-language guidance during the training process.
Is the entire driving test conducted at SDA?
The official written examination is taken at a Korea Road Traffic Authority examination centre. Practical training, the academy skills test and the road test are arranged through SDA.
How long does it take to get a Korean driver's licence?
The required education is commonly completed over approximately six training days. The total calendar time depends on your availability, test schedules and whether you pass each examination on the first attempt.
How much does a Class 2 Korean licence cost?
The Class 2 Regular programme costs 765,000 KRW including VAT. The first skills and road test attempts cost 55,000 KRW each, making the programme plus those two tests 875,000 KRW. Textbook, licence issuance and other applicable administrative costs should be shown separately.
Should I choose Class 1 or Class 2?
Choose Class 2 if you mainly plan to drive passenger cars, SUVs or ordinary rental cars. Class 1 is appropriate if you need to drive larger vans or qualifying light trucks.
Can I choose an automatic licence?
Yes. Automatic and manual options are available. An automatic licence restricts you to automatic-transmission vehicles, while a manual licence covers both manual and automatic vehicles within the applicable licence class.
Do I need to make a reservation before visiting?
A formal reservation is not required for Saturday enrolment, but messaging SDA before visiting is recommended. Staff can check your eligibility and prepare the correct paperwork.
Can I take driving lessons if I already have a licence?
Yes. SDA provides refresher and on-road driving lessons for existing licence holders. Separate six-hour and ten-hour programs are available.
Can a tourist without an ARC enrol?
No. SDA's complete foreign-resident licence program requires a valid Alien Registration Card.
What should I bring to the Saturday English class?
Bring your Alien Registration Card and two photographs measuring 3.5 × 4.5 cm. Arrive by 12:00–12:30 so registration can be completed before class begins at 13:00.
Get started
Check the Next English Driving Class
Tell us which licence you need, your current licence status and when you would like to begin. We will reply in English with the next available Saturday English class, the course that matches your needs, the current total cost, the documents you need to bring and directions from your area in Seoul.
