Korean driver's licence types — Class 1 vs Class 2
Which category you actually need, what each one lets you drive, the automatic-versus-manual trap, and the age rules that catch people out.
Every category we train — car, heavy vehicle and two-wheeler
Most common
Class 2 Regular
Minimum age
18
Large / Special
19 + 1 year
Moped
16
What are the Korean driver's licence types?
Korea organises licences into two classes. Class 2 Regular covers normal passenger cars and is what most drivers need. Class 1 Regular covers larger vehicles up to 15 seats. Class 1 Large covers buses and heavy trucks, and Class 1 Special covers towing and recovery vehicles — both require age 19 and one year of prior licensed driving. Class 2 Small is for motorcycles over 125cc, and the motorized bicycle licence covers scooters up to 125cc from age 16.
Overview
Every category at a glance
Type
What it covers
Min. age
At SDA
Class 2 Regular
Passenger cars, vans to 10 seats, trucks to 4 t, motorcycles ≤125cc
18
765,000 KRW
Class 1 Regular
Vans to 15 seats, trucks under 12 t, forklifts under 3 t
18
795,000 KRW
Class 1 Large
Buses and trucks of all sizes, construction machinery
19 + 1 yr
837,000 KRW
Class 1 Special
Towing, recovery vehicles, trailers
19 + 1 yr
—
Class 2 Small
Motorcycles over 125cc, any engine size
18
from 247,500 KRW
Motorized bicycle
Scooters ≤125cc, electric kickboards
16
405,000 KRW
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Most common
Class 2 — what most foreigners take
If you are driving a normal passenger car, an SUV or a typical rental in Korea, Class 2 Regular is the category you want.
Class 2 Regular
Vehicles of 9 to 10 seats or fewer, motorcycles up to 125cc, standard rental cars and SUVs. The lowest written pass mark of any car category at 60 out of 100.
Age 18+Written 60/100765,000 KRW
Class 2 Small
Motorcycles over 125cc. An independent licence — no car licence grants it, and the course test pass mark is 90 out of 100.
Age 18+Course 90/100from 247,500 KRW
Larger vehicles
Class 1 Regular, Large and Special
Class 1 Regular
Vans and minibuses up to 15 seats, trucks under 12 tons, forklifts under 3 tons — plus everything Class 2 permits.
Class 1 Large
Buses and trucks of every size and most construction machinery. Age 19 and one year of prior licensed driving, excluding motorcycles.
Class 1 Special
Towing and recovery vehicles and trailers. Same age and experience conditions as Class 1 Large. Rarely needed for ordinary expat driving.
Do you really need Class 1 Regular? Most foreign residents do not. Unless you specifically plan to drive a 10 to 15 seat vehicle, Class 2 Regular covers everyday needs and costs 30,000 KRW less for identical training hours.
Transmission
Automatic versus manual
Class 1 and Class 2 Regular are each issued in an automatic and a manual condition. The choice is made when you book the test, not afterwards.
Manual
Lets you drive both manual and automatic vehicles within the class. Choose this if there is any chance you will need a stick shift — rental vans, work vehicles or a car back home.
Automatic
Restricted to automatic-transmission vehicles. Easier to learn and by far the most common choice in Korea, where the overwhelming majority of cars are automatic.
Confirm before you book. If you test in an automatic, your licence may be restricted to automatic vehicles permanently unless you later take a condition-change course. Upgrading afterwards costs 283,000 KRW for Class 2 or 298,000 KRW for Class 1.
Inside the school
One academy, every category
Car, motorcycle and heavy vehicle training all run from the same Anyang campus.
Licensed in six days — an SDA English-programme graduateTechnical course practiceMotorcycle training, over 125 ccFull-size bus trainingMotorcycle trainingOur campus at 599 Anyang-ro
Watch first
Students on choosing the right category
Teachers, engineers and military personnel explain what they picked and why.
Students on the six-day processTeachers, engineers and military personnel who trained here
Decision
How to choose in four questions
Step 1
What will you actually drive?
Normal car, small SUV or a typical rental — Class 2 Regular. A larger passenger vehicle up to about 15 seats — Class 1 Regular. A bus, heavy truck or towing rig — Class 1 Large or Special.
Step 2
Automatic or manual?
Decide before you book. Manual covers both; automatic restricts you. Changing later means paying for another course.
Step 3
Do you meet the age requirement?
Regular and Small categories start at 18, the moped licence at 16. Large and Special require 19 and one year of prior licensed driving.
Step 4
New licence, or exchange?
If you already hold a foreign licence you may qualify for exchange instead of full testing. Note that exchange can be limited to the Class 2 Regular equivalent in some cases.
Class 2 Regular is enough for a normal passenger car, typically described as up to 9 or 10 seats. It is the category the large majority of foreign residents take.
When would I need Class 1 Regular instead?
When you expect to drive larger ordinary vehicles — vans and minibuses up to 15 seats, or trucks between 4 and 12 tons. It includes everything Class 2 permits.
Does Korea have an automatic-only licence?
Yes. Class 1 and Class 2 Regular are each issued in automatic and manual conditions. If you test in an automatic, your licence is restricted to automatic-transmission vehicles.
What is the minimum age for a Korean driver's licence?
18 for Class 1 Regular, Class 2 Regular and Class 2 Small. 19 for Class 1 Large and Class 1 Special, which also require one year of prior licensed driving. The motorized bicycle licence is available from 16.
If I exchange my foreign licence, will I get the same class?
Not always. Exchange can be limited to the Class 2 Regular equivalent depending on your country and the licence you hold. Confirm with the licensing authority before you rely on it.
What is Class 1 Special?
A separate category for towing and recovery vehicles and trailers. It carries the same age and experience requirements as Class 1 Large and is rarely needed for ordinary expat driving.
Get started
One message is all it takes
Tell us your licence type and visa status. We reply in English, usually the same day, with the next available Saturday, your total cost and exactly what to bring.
