Foreign residents can obtain a Korean driving licence even if they have never held a licence in another country. SDA provides English assistance throughout the process, including English theory education, driving-skills training and road-driving preparation.
Class 1 & Class 2 Regular applicants must be at least 18
English written tests are available
SDA's education programme is organized over six training days
Actual completion time depends on test availability and results
Day 1 of the process — the Saturday English theory class
Process at a Glance
Register with SDA → attend the English theory class → complete the physical examination → pass the written test → complete skills training and pass the skills test → receive a learner's permit → complete road-driving training → pass the road-driving test → receive your Korean driving licence.
Direct answer
Can a Foreigner Get a Korean Driving Licence?
Yes. Foreign residents who meet the identification, age and physical requirements can apply for a new Korean driving licence — even if they've never driven before, don't have a licence from their home country, don't speak Korean, or their foreign licence can't be exchanged.
Before enrolling, check whether you need a new Korean licence or can exchange an existing foreign licence.
Get a new Korean licence if
You don't have a foreign driving licence
Your foreign licence is expired or can't be authenticated
You can't prove the required stay in the issuing country
Your licence isn't eligible for exchange
You want professional training before driving in Korea
Consider exchange if
You hold a valid foreign driving licence
It can be authenticated with an Apostille or embassy confirmation
You can prove the required residence history in the issuing country
Your identification details match the licence
Exchange is processed at an official examination centre, not through SDA's new-licence course — and it isn't automatically the quicker or cheaper option once Apostille, translation and courier costs are factored in. Compare both routes in detail →
Official process
The Official Korean Driving Licence Process
This is the government-defined sequence. SDA's own six-day training schedule (below) organizes your education and practice within this process — they are not the same thing.
Step 1
Register & choose your licence type
Most applicants choose Class 2 Automatic (ordinary automatic passenger cars) or Class 1 Regular (manual licence, broader vehicle range). Tell SDA your nationality, visa category, ARC validity, any previous driving experience, and your preferred licence category and start date.
Class 2 AutomaticClass 1 Regular
Step 2
Complete traffic safety & theory education
Required before the written test. SDA's English theory class covers traffic laws, signals, right-of-way, speed limits, penalty points and written-test vocabulary — every Saturday, 13:00–16:00.
Saturday 13:00–16:00English
Step 3
Complete the physical examination
Checks eyesight, ability to distinguish red/green/yellow, and physical ability to control a vehicle. Corrected vision (glasses/contacts) is accepted if it meets the standard. Prepare two colour photos, 3.5 × 4.5 cm — sufficient for the whole SDA process.
Step 4
Pass the Korean written test
Available in Korean, English, Chinese and Vietnamese. Pass mark: 70 for Class 1 Regular, 60 for Class 2 Regular. Use the current official English question bank rather than old or unofficial collections, since questions and regulations can change.
Class 1: 70/100Class 2: 60/100
Step 5
Complete driving-skills training
Vehicle control on the academy's designated course — safety checks, seat/mirror/steering adjustment, starting, indicators, braking, hill starts, intersections, turns, required manoeuvres and emergency stopping, on the same course type used for the academy test.
Step 6
Pass the driving skills test
Evaluates starting procedure, vehicle control, signal compliance, hill starts, steering, required manoeuvres and safe stopping. Mistakes cause point deductions; certain serious errors mean immediate failure. Retake after the official waiting period if needed.
Step 7
Receive your learner's permit
Class 1 and Class 2 Regular applicants who pass the written and skills tests receive a learner's permit — not a full licence, and not valid for driving alone. Generally valid for one year; the road test must be passed before it expires.
Step 8
Complete road-driving training
Real-traffic practice: entering/leaving traffic, lane changes, turns, intersections, traffic lights, speed control, pedestrian awareness, navigation and Korean road-test procedures. The goal is understanding real Korean traffic, not just passing.
Step 9
Pass the road-driving test
Evaluates starting/preparation, signal use, mirror/blind-spot checks, lane position and changes, speed selection, intersection safety and overall vehicle control on a designated public-road course. Serious safety violations cause immediate failure; retake after the waiting period.
Step 10
Receive your Korean driving licence
Issued after passing the written test, skills test, learner's-permit stage and road test. Choose a standard or mobile IC format — issuance fees are separate from training and testing costs.
SDA's own schedule
SDA Six-Day Training Schedule
SDA's complete education programme can be organized over six training days. The exact timetable may change according to licence category, English class date, test availability, instructor scheduling, applicant performance and retest requirements.
Training day
Main programme
Day 1
Registration, orientation and English theory education
Day 2
Driving-skills training
Day 3
Additional skills training and test preparation
Day 4
Skills test and learner's-permit stage
Day 5
Road-driving training
Day 6
Additional road training and road-test preparation
Swipe the table to see all columns.
The written test, skills test and road test may be scheduled separately from these six training days depending on your programme and available appointments.
"Six days" refers to the planned education schedule — it does not guarantee that every applicant will receive the physical licence within six consecutive calendar days.
There is no single completion time that applies to every applicant. Your total timeline depends on the next available English theory class, written-test availability, instructor and vehicle availability, skills- and road-test scheduling, whether you pass each test on the first attempt, and public holidays or examination-centre closures.
Applicants who pass every stage on the first attempt will generally finish more quickly. To receive an accurate schedule, send SDA your preferred start date and licence category.
The total price is made up of several separate items: SDA education fees, written-test fee, skills-test fee, learner's-permit fee, road-driving test fee, physical examination fee, insurance or related academy charges, final licence issuance fee, and retest fees if required. Class 1 and Class 2 do not cost the same. Always compare the full amount rather than only the advertised tuition fee.
Can I get a Korean driving licence without a foreign licence?
Yes. A foreign licence is not required when applying for a new Korean driving licence.
Do I need an ARC?
Yes. SDA requires a valid ARC or Residence Card for its full licence programme.
Can I use a Domestic Residence Report Card instead?
No. SDA does not accept a Domestic Residence Report Card in place of the required ARC or Residence Card.
Do I need to bring my passport?
No. A passport is not required on the SDA registration day.
Is there a minimum remaining visa period?
No. SDA does not require a specific minimum remaining visa period, but your ARC must be valid when you register.
How many photos do I need?
Prepare two recent colour photos measuring 3.5 × 4.5 cm. These are sufficient for the complete SDA new-licence process.
Can tourists enrol?
No. Passport-only tourists without a valid ARC cannot enrol in SDA's full resident driving licence programme.
Is the written test available in English?
Yes. The official written test is available in English.
What score do I need to pass?
Class 1 Regular requires at least 70 points. Class 2 Regular requires at least 60 points.
What happens after I pass the skills test?
Class 1 and Class 2 Regular applicants receive a learner's permit and continue to road-driving training.
Can I drive alone with a learner's permit?
No. A learner's permit is not a full licence and does not permit unsupervised driving. It is generally valid for one year.
Can I finish everything in six days?
SDA provides a six-day education schedule. Total calendar time depends on test appointments and whether you pass every stage on the first attempt.
What if I fail the skills or road test?
You can normally retake the test after the official waiting period. Additional test and training fees may apply.
Can SDA guarantee that I will pass?
No legitimate academy can guarantee a test result. SDA provides structured training and English support to help you prepare properly.
Can I exchange my foreign licence instead?
Possibly. Eligibility depends on the licence, issuing country, authentication documents and residence history.
Do I need to speak Korean?
No. SDA provides English assistance and theory education, and the official written test is also available in English.
Get started
Ready to Get Your Korean Driving Licence?
Start by checking your eligibility, documents and the next available English class. Tell us your visa type, ARC expiry date, preferred licence type and starting date, and SDA will help you check eligibility, required documents, recommended licence category, the next English theory class, available training schedule and estimated total cost.
We'll reply with your eligibility, recommended course and the next available start date.
Location
599 Anyang-ro, Manan-gu
Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do. 경기도 안양시 만안구 안양로 599 — Gwanak Station, Exit 1, Line 1, approximately five minutes on foot. Accessible from Seoul Station, Yongsan, Itaewon, Gangnam and Hongdae.
