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Korea's subway system is brilliant. So are the KTX trains. But the moment you want to go somewhere that isn't Seoul, Busan, or a major train station, public transit gets thin fast. 

Coastal villages, national parks, and the countryside between cities. 

That's where driving in Korea really pays off. You set your own schedule, stop wherever you want, and see parts of the country that most tourists never reach.

The catch? 

You can't just show up with your home license and rent a car. You'll need an International Driving Permit(IDP), and there are a few quirks about Korean roads that are worth knowing before you go. This guide covers all of it.

Do You Need an International Driving Permit for South Korea?

Yes. Most foreign tourists who want to drive in Korea need a valid IDP from a Geneva or Vienna Convention country, or from a country with a bilateral agreement (like Taiwan).

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What counts as a valid IDP in Korea? 

Most tourists need a Category B permit, which covers vehicles with up to nine seats. If you're planning to drive something larger (a 12-seat van, for example), you'd need Category D.

One thing to watch out for — actually, two things.

First, the document type. Korea only accepts the IDP (International Driving Permit). Other formats like the IDL (International Driving License) or IDD (International Driver's Document) aren't recognized, even if they look the part.

Second, who issues it. Even if your document says "IDP," it needs to come from a government body or accredited authority in your country — not a private company. IDPs sold online by third-party services won't be valid here.

If you buy one of these by mistake, you won't be able to rent a car. Make sure the document you're getting says "Permit."

Where do you get an IDP? 

So, where do you actually get one? 

You have to get your IDP in your home country before you fly to Korea. You can't pick one up after you land. And you'll need to carry your original home country driver's license alongside it at all times. 

The IDP isn't a replacement for your license; it's an official translation of it.

In the US, go through AAA. It costs about $20, and you can often get it same-day at a branch. In the UK, the Post Office handles it. Australia has state automobile associations. 

For Taiwan, it's the Ministry of Transportation. Singapore uses AAS (Automobile Association of Singapore). And in Hong Kong, you can apply through the Transport Department via GovHK, in person, or by mail. 

Fees generally run $20 to $50, and processing takes anywhere from same-day to about a week.

What Should You Know Before Driving in South Korea? 

Korea drives on the right side of the road (left-hand drive vehicles), Google Maps has limited turn-by-turn directions, and toll roads are everywhere between cities. But once you know what to expect, none of this is difficult.

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Navigation Apps 

Google Maps has limited driving navigation in Korea. It'll show you where things are, but it won't route you there. This surprises almost every foreign visitor.

Download Naver Map or Kakao Map instead.

Both support English, give real-time traffic updates, flag speed cameras, and help you find parking. A helpful trick: searching by a destination's phone number often gives more accurate results than typing the name in English. 

And if your rental car supports CarPlay or Android Auto, connect your phone to the car's screen for a much better experience.

The car's built-in navigation can usually be switched to English, too. Ask the staff at the rental counter when you pick up the vehicle.

Driving Rules Worth Knowing 

Korea uses right-hand traffic, the same as the US and most of Europe. Most rental cars are automatic, so that's one less thing to worry about.

The big rule that catches foreign drivers: left turns are only allowed on a green arrow signal. No arrow, no left turn. Unprotected lefts exist at some intersections, but only where specifically signposted. 

If you're coming from the US, where you can often turn left on a yellow, this takes some getting used to.

Speed cameras are everywhere. 

Fixed cameras, mobile units, and average-speed enforcement zones that measure your speed over a full stretch of road. Your nav app will alert you to most of them, which is another reason to keep Naver Map running at all times. School zones have a strict 30 km/h limit with heavy fines.

Toll Roads and Hi-Pass 

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If you're driving between cities (Seoul to Busan, Seoul to Gangneung, that sort of thing), you'll use expressways, and expressways have toll gates.

Hi-Pass is Korea's electronic toll system. It uses blue-marked lanes that you drive through without stopping. 

Most rental cars in Korea come equipped with a Hi-Pass transponder, but you should confirm with the staff if a payment card is included. 

If the car has a card, you can drive through the blue lanes and settle the total when you return the car. If not, simply use the cash/card lanes (non-blue) — grab a ticket when you enter, then pay at the exit.

And if you accidentally end up in a Hi-Pass lane? Don't panic. Just note the name of the tollgate and explain the situation to the attendant when you exit. They'll process your payment manually. It happens all the time. For more on Korean driving rules, VisitKorea's official driving page has a good overview.

Gas Stations and Refueling 

Both self-service and full-service gas stations are available nationwide. International credit cards are accepted at most stations.

Before you leave the rental office, confirm what fuel your car takes. Gasoline, diesel, LPG, and electric vehicles all require different things, and putting the wrong fuel in isn't a mistake you want to make. 

If you're renting an EV, most rental companies provide a charging card so you don't have to deal with Korean-language charging apps.

Highway Rest Stops (a Genuine Highlight) 

Korean highway rest stops aren't like what you might be used to. Forget sad vending machines and dirty restrooms. These are more like mini food courts with regional specialties, chain restaurants, convenience stores, and spotless bathrooms.

Try so-tteok so-tteok (rice cake and sausage skewers) or hodugwaja (walnut pastries). Both are classic rest stop snacks. Some stops serve full meals featuring local dishes you won't find anywhere else. 

I honestly think they're one of the best parts of a Korean road trip. Most rest stops also have EV charging stations if you need them.

What Should You Do If You Have an Accident? 

Call the police at 112 and emergency rescue at 119, take photos of the scene, exchange details with the other driver, and phone your rental company's 24-hour hotline right away.

AT THE SCENE 

Don't move the vehicles or leave the scene until the police arrive. This is important — Korean law requires you to stay put. Take clear photos of both cars, any damage, and the overall scene from multiple angles.

After the accident 

Contact your rental company as soon as possible. They'll walk you through the next steps and, depending on your insurance level, dispatch someone to help. 

If you've got Super CDW (full coverage), the process is much simpler. The rental company handles most of the paperwork, and you can often get a replacement vehicle the same day. Well worth getting for peace of mind.

How Do You Rent a Car in Korea as a Tourist? 

Bring your passport, IDP, home country driver's license, and a credit card in your name. You'll need all four at the rental counter, and you must be at least 21 with one year of driving experience.

what to look for in a rental company 

When choosing a company, look for airport or train station pick-up, multilingual staff, a Super CDW option, and enough vehicle variety that you're not stuck with whatever's left.

Why Rent with Lotte Rent-A-Car? 

Korea's No. 1 rental brand, Lotte Rent-A-Car has over 300 locations across Korea, including desks at Incheon, Gimpo, and Gimhae airports and major train stations. 

The Seoul Station and Gangnam Station branches run 24 hours, which helps if your flight lands late. 

Because Lotte has locations in multiple cities, you can pick up in one place and drop off in another — handy if you're driving from Seoul to Busan and flying home from there.

English and Chinese-speaking staff are always on hand. Super CDW is available, so your return is just handing back the key. And if something goes wrong on the road, the 24-hour customer center (1588-1230) can dispatch staff to your location and arrange a replacement car. 

That kind of support is hard to find with smaller rental companies, especially outside of Seoul and Jeju.

Hit the Road 

Get your IDP sorted before you leave home, download Naver Map, and driving in Korea is genuinely easier than most tourists expect. The roads are well-maintained, signage is bilingual, and the highway rest stops alone are worth the trip.

Book your rental through Lotte Rent-A-Car and go find out what's beyond the subway map.

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