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Q: What is the minimum age to obtain a Class 2 Ordinary driving licence in South Korea?

18 years old. In South Korea, you must be at least 18 years old to obtain a Class 2 Ordinary driving licence.

Q: Which side of the road do vehicles drive on in South Korea?

Right side. South Korea follows right-hand traffic. All vehicles drive on the right side of the road.

Q: What is the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers in South Korea?

0.03%. South Korea has a strict BAC limit of 0.03%. Driving with a BAC at or above this level is considered drunk driving.

Q: What is the default speed limit on urban roads in South Korea?

50 km/h. The default speed limit on urban roads in South Korea is 50 km/h under the Safety Speed 5030 policy implemented in April 2021.

Q: When must you use turn signals before changing lanes or turning?

At least 30 meters before the turn or lane change. Korean traffic law requires drivers to activate turn signals at least 30 meters before turning or changing lanes on regular roads.

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Seoul, South Korea

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What is the minimum age to obtain a Class 2 Ordinary driving licence in South Korea?

South Korea

Driving Rules & Facts

1

Drive on the Right — South Korea drives on the right side. Overtake only on the left. At unmarked intersections, yield to vehicles coming from the right. Left turns at major intersections require a green arrow signal.

2

Dashcam Culture (블랙박스) — South Korea has one of the highest dashcam adoption rates in the world. Most vehicles are equipped with front and rear dashcams (블랙박스). Dashcam footage is widely accepted as evidence in insurance claims and legal proceedings.

3

BAC 0.03% — Yoon Chang-ho Law (윤창호법) — Blood alcohol limit is 0.03% — reduced from 0.05% in June 2019. BAC 0.03–0.08%: licence suspension, up to 1 year imprisonment or fine up to KRW 5 million. BAC 0.08–0.2%: licence revocation, 1–2 years imprisonment or KRW 5–10 million fine. BAC 0.2%+: 2–5 years imprisonment or KRW 10–20 million fine. Refusing a breathalyzer: treated as BAC 0.08%+.

4

School Zones — Minsik's Law (민식이법) — Speed limit of 30 km/h in all school zones (어린이보호구역). Double fines and penalty points for violations. Criminal penalties for injuring children: 3 years or more imprisonment for causing death (up to life imprisonment); 1–15 years or KRW 5–30 million fine for causing injury. Effective since March 2020.

5

Mandatory Insurance (의무보험) — Third-party liability insurance (의무보험) is mandatory for all registered vehicles. Minimum coverage includes bodily injury liability. Driving without insurance: up to 1 year imprisonment or fine up to KRW 10 million.

6

Phone Ban — Handheld Prohibited — Using a handheld phone while driving is prohibited. Fine: KRW 60,000 and penalty points. Hands-free devices and Bluetooth are permitted. Navigation use is allowed only with a mount.

How to Get Your Driving License in South Korea

Everything you need to know about enrolling in a driving school and getting your Class 2 Ordinary license in South Korea.

Typical Cost

KRW 500,000–KRW 800,000

Total driving school cost including lessons and materials

Prices vary by school, location, and number of lessons needed.

Typical Lessons Needed

~13

50-minute lessons on average

Mandatory Theory Hours

3h

Required classroom or online theory instruction

Mandatory Practical Hours

6h

Required behind-the-wheel training with an instructor

License Requirements in South Korea

Minimum Age18 years old

Theory Exam Fee~70,000 KRW total

Car License CategoryClass 2 Ordinary

Driving SideRight (drive on the right)

Learner/Provisional LicenseYes, required before driving

Accompanied DrivingNot required

Online Theory StudyYes, available online

Theory Test Languages

The KOROAD theory test is available in these languages:

KoreanEnglishChineseVietnamese

Tips for Choosing a Driving School in Seoul

Compare prices from at least 3 schools before enrolling. The cheapest option is not always the best — check what is included in the package.
Ask schools about their pass rates. A higher pass rate often indicates better instruction quality.
If South Korea's official language is not your first language, ask if the school offers instruction or materials in your language.

Source: Korea Road Traffic Authority (도로교통공단) · Last updated: 2026-03-15

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