Right-Hand Traffic in Korea
South Korea drives on the right side of the road, with the steering wheel on the left side of the car — exactly the same as the United States, Canada, and most of continental Europe. If you are coming from a right-hand-traffic country, you will not need to adjust. If you are coming from the UK, Japan, Australia, or any left-hand-traffic country, be prepared to drive on the opposite side.
Korea adopted right-hand traffic during the period of US military administration after World War II (1945-1948), replacing the left-hand traffic system used during the Japanese colonial period. Today, all vehicles, road markings, and traffic signals follow right-hand conventions.
Korea drives on the same side as: USA, Canada, France, Germany, China, and most of the world. It is the opposite of: UK, Japan, Australia, Thailand, and India.
International Driving Permit (IDP)
To drive in South Korea as a tourist, you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with your valid home-country driver's license. An IDP is essentially a translation of your license and is required by Korean law. Get it from your home country's automobile association (AAA in the US, AA in the UK, NRMA in Australia) before you travel — it cannot be issued in Korea.
An IDP is valid for one year from the date of issue. If you plan to stay in Korea longer than one year, you will need to convert to a Korean driver's license. Some countries have reciprocal agreements that allow license conversion without a driving test.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|
| Required documents | IDP + valid home license (carry both) |
| Where to get IDP | Home country auto association (AAA, AA, etc.) |
| IDP validity | 1 year from issue date |
| Minimum driving age | 18 (international license holders) |
| Side of road | Right (left-hand drive vehicles) |
A home-country license alone is not sufficient to drive in Korea. You must carry both your IDP and your original license. Driving without an IDP can result in fines and insurance being voided.
Driving Culture & Road Conditions
Korean driving can feel aggressive compared to what many visitors are used to. Lane changes are abrupt, speed limits are treated as suggestions (especially on highways), and delivery scooters weave through traffic unpredictably. That said, roads are excellently maintained, well-signed in Korean and English, and the highway network (expressways) is world-class.
In cities, navigation can be challenging due to complex intersections and aggressive merging. Outside cities, driving is much more relaxed and scenic, particularly along the coastal roads and through the countryside. GPS navigation through KakaoMap or Naver Map (set to English) is essential.
- Speed cameras are everywhere — fines are issued automatically.
- Blood alcohol limit is 0.03% — very strict by international standards.
- Right turn on red is allowed at some intersections (check the signal).
- Parking can be difficult and expensive in Seoul and Busan.
- Highway rest stops (휴게소) are excellent — clean, with great food.
Use Naver Map or KakaoMap for driving navigation. Google Maps does not provide turn-by-turn driving directions in Korea due to local mapping restrictions.
Highway Tolls & Rental Tips
Korean expressways charge tolls. The Seoul-Busan corridor (about 4 hours) costs roughly ₩25,000-₩30,000 in tolls each way. Tolls can be paid with cash, credit card, or a Hi-Pass transponder (the Korean equivalent of E-ZPass). Most rental cars come with Hi-Pass pre-installed.
Rental cars are available from companies like Lotte Rent-a-Car, SK Rent-a-Car, and Jeju Rent-a-Car (which operates nationwide despite the name). Rates start around ₩40,000-₩60,000 per day for a compact car. Jeju Island is the most popular place to rent a car, as public transport there is limited.
| Route | Distance | Drive Time | Approx. Toll |
|---|
| Seoul → Busan | 325 km | ~4 hours | ₩25,000-₩30,000 |
| Seoul → Gyeongju | 310 km | ~3.5 hours | ₩22,000-₩27,000 |
| Seoul → Gangneung | 230 km | ~2.5 hours | ₩15,000-₩20,000 |
| Jeju (around island) | 180 km | ~3 hours | No tolls |
For Seoul and Busan, public transport (KTX, subway, bus) is faster and cheaper than driving. Renting a car makes the most sense for Jeju Island, rural areas, and road trips along the coast.
Right-Hand Traffic in Korea
South Korea drives on the right side of the road, with the steering wheel on the left side of the car — exactly the same as the United States, Canada, and most of continental Europe. If you are coming from a right-hand-traffic country, you will not need to adjust. If you are coming from the UK, Japan, Australia, or any left-hand-traffic country, be prepared to drive on the opposite side.
Korea adopted right-hand traffic during the period of US military administration after World War II (1945-1948), replacing the left-hand traffic system used during the Japanese colonial period. Today, all vehicles, road markings, and traffic signals follow right-hand conventions.
Korea drives on the same side as: USA, Canada, France, Germany, China, and most of the world. It is the opposite of: UK, Japan, Australia, Thailand, and India.
International Driving Permit (IDP)
To drive in South Korea as a tourist, you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with your valid home-country driver's license. An IDP is essentially a translation of your license and is required by Korean law. Get it from your home country's automobile association (AAA in the US, AA in the UK, NRMA in Australia) before you travel — it cannot be issued in Korea.
An IDP is valid for one year from the date of issue. If you plan to stay in Korea longer than one year, you will need to convert to a Korean driver's license. Some countries have reciprocal agreements that allow license conversion without a driving test.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|
| Required documents | IDP + valid home license (carry both) |
| Where to get IDP | Home country auto association (AAA, AA, etc.) |
| IDP validity | 1 year from issue date |
| Minimum driving age | 18 (international license holders) |
| Side of road | Right (left-hand drive vehicles) |
A home-country license alone is not sufficient to drive in Korea. You must carry both your IDP and your original license. Driving without an IDP can result in fines and insurance being voided.
Driving Culture & Road Conditions
Korean driving can feel aggressive compared to what many visitors are used to. Lane changes are abrupt, speed limits are treated as suggestions (especially on highways), and delivery scooters weave through traffic unpredictably. That said, roads are excellently maintained, well-signed in Korean and English, and the highway network (expressways) is world-class.
In cities, navigation can be challenging due to complex intersections and aggressive merging. Outside cities, driving is much more relaxed and scenic, particularly along the coastal roads and through the countryside. GPS navigation through KakaoMap or Naver Map (set to English) is essential.
- Speed cameras are everywhere — fines are issued automatically.
- Blood alcohol limit is 0.03% — very strict by international standards.
- Right turn on red is allowed at some intersections (check the signal).
- Parking can be difficult and expensive in Seoul and Busan.
- Highway rest stops (휴게소) are excellent — clean, with great food.
Use Naver Map or KakaoMap for driving navigation. Google Maps does not provide turn-by-turn driving directions in Korea due to local mapping restrictions.
Highway Tolls & Rental Tips
Korean expressways charge tolls. The Seoul-Busan corridor (about 4 hours) costs roughly ₩25,000-₩30,000 in tolls each way. Tolls can be paid with cash, credit card, or a Hi-Pass transponder (the Korean equivalent of E-ZPass). Most rental cars come with Hi-Pass pre-installed.
Rental cars are available from companies like Lotte Rent-a-Car, SK Rent-a-Car, and Jeju Rent-a-Car (which operates nationwide despite the name). Rates start around ₩40,000-₩60,000 per day for a compact car. Jeju Island is the most popular place to rent a car, as public transport there is limited.
| Route | Distance | Drive Time | Approx. Toll |
|---|
| Seoul → Busan | 325 km | ~4 hours | ₩25,000-₩30,000 |
| Seoul → Gyeongju | 310 km | ~3.5 hours | ₩22,000-₩27,000 |
| Seoul → Gangneung | 230 km | ~2.5 hours | ₩15,000-₩20,000 |
| Jeju (around island) | 180 km | ~3 hours | No tolls |
For Seoul and Busan, public transport (KTX, subway, bus) is faster and cheaper than driving. Renting a car makes the most sense for Jeju Island, rural areas, and road trips along the coast.