EasyTicket If you’re planning to rent a car abroad, choose how to get your International Driving Permit based on how much time you have before departure. If you have time, applying online and receiving it by registered mail works well; if you’re in a hurry, in-person issuance at a driver’s license testing center or police station is more practical.
Compare Issuance Options Based on Time Until Departure
Online vs. In-Person Issuance: What’s the Difference?
An International Driving Permit is valid for one year from the date of issue. For online applications, you apply through the Safe Driving Integrated Civil Service portal and receive the permit by registered mail. In-person applications are handled at a driver’s license testing center or a police station that issues permits, where you can receive it right away.
| Category | Online Application | In-Person Issuance |
|---|---|---|
| Receipt | Sent by registered mail after application | Can be issued immediately at a driver’s license testing center or police station |
| Processing Time | Notice of registered-mail dispatch within 5 days after the application is completed | Pick up on the day of your visit |
| Basic Fee | KRW 9,000 issuance fee + registered-mail postage | KRW 9,000 |
| Recommended When | You have plenty of time before departure | Departure is imminent |
| What to Prepare | Identity verification, passport photo file | Passport, Korean driver’s license, passport photo |
Online issuance is limited to 450 applications per day. If your departure date is close, it’s safer to prioritize in-person issuance instead of simply waiting to see whether applications are still being accepted.
Don’t Focus Only on the Fee—Check When You’ll Receive It
Both in-person and online applications have a basic issuance fee of KRW 9,000. Online applications also incur registered-mail postage, so compare whether you’d rather save travel time or have the physical permit in hand before departure.
How to Apply Online and How Long It Takes
The Registered-Mail Schedule Is Key for Online Applications
After identity verification, upload a color passport photo file that meets passport requirements and enter your delivery address. According to a Korea Road Traffic Authority press release, the permit is sent by registered mail within five days of completing the application. Consider the postal delivery schedule when estimating the actual arrival date.
Check the Photo Requirements and Daily Limit First
Photos must have been taken within the past six months and meet passport-photo dimensions: 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm. If you don’t have the file ready or the online daily limit is full, in-person issuance may be faster.
How to Get It In Person and What to Bring
Which Should You Choose: A Testing Center or Police Station?
You can apply at driver’s license testing centers and police stations nationwide. However, check with the police station beforehand that it issues International Driving Permits, and note that they advise bringing a credit or debit card. Airport issuance centers are also available at Incheon Airport and Gimhae Airport.
In-Person Checklist
Korean nationals with passports can skip submitting a passport copy if they consent to the joint use of administrative information. Even so, you must carry both your Korean driver’s license and passport when driving abroad.
- Valid Korean driver’s license
- Your passport or a passport copy
- One passport photo taken within the past six months
- Issuance fee of KRW 9,000
- Credit or debit card when visiting a police station
Where Each Is Accepted: International vs. English Driver’s Licenses
Check the Countries That Accept the International Driving Permit First
The list of countries where the International Driving Permit can be used includes Japan, the United States, Canada, Australia, France, Italy, and Spain. Taiwan and Vietnam are listed as regions covered by separate agreements or arrangements. However, in places such as the United States and Canada, where laws vary by state or province, don’t judge by the country alone—check the requirements in the state or province where you’ll actually drive.
An English Driver’s License Isn’t a Substitute
An English driver’s license can be used only in countries or regions that allow short-term driving when you carry your passport as well. As of June 15, 2026, the recognized scope is 67 countries and 107 regions. Some destinations, such as Japan, appear on the list of countries that accept the International Driving Permit but not on the English driver’s license list, so don’t treat the two systems as interchangeable when planning to drive abroad.
| Item | International Driving Permit | English Driver’s License |
|---|---|---|
| Form | An international document issued separately from your Korean license | A driver’s license with English information printed on the back |
| Validity | One year from the date of issue | Follows the validity period of your Korean driver’s license |
| Where accepted | Mainly Geneva Convention countries and regions covered by separate agreements or arrangements | Short-term use allowed only in recognized countries and regions |
| What to carry abroad | International Driving Permit, Korean driver’s license, passport | English driver’s license, passport |
Things to Know Before Booking a Rental Car Abroad
Keep the Three Documents Together
If you show up at an overseas rental-car counter with only your International Driving Permit, you could run into trouble. When driving abroad, you must carry all three: your International Driving Permit, Korean driver’s license, and passport. The spelling of the English name on your license must also match the name on your passport.
Avoid Look-Alike International Permits
The official name is International Driving Permit. The Korea Road Traffic Authority says that look-alike international permits issued by unauthorized organizations cannot be used. Issuance may also be restricted if you have unpaid administrative fines or traffic penalties.
International Driving Permit FAQ
What If the 450 Daily Online Applications Are Full?
Online issuance is limited to 450 applications per day. If departure is imminent, find out about in-person issuance at a driver’s license testing center or a police station that can issue permits rather than waiting for the next online application window.
Can I Rent a Car in Japan with Only an English Driver’s License?
Japan is included on the list of countries where the International Driving Permit can be used, but not on the list of countries that recognize an English driver’s license. For a rental-car trip in Japan, prepare your International Driving Permit, Korean driver’s license, and passport together.
Can I Drive Anywhere as Long as My International Driving Permit Is Still Valid?
Even if it is still within one year of the issue date, its validity may be limited by local laws and the length of your stay. Before booking, check the Korean embassy’s guidance for your destination along with the rental company’s license requirements.
If you still have time before departure, apply online to save a trip; if you only have a few days, get the physical permit first through in-person issuance. Once you have the three documents and check each destination’s acceptance rules, preparing to drive abroad becomes much simpler.