South Korea
Last verified August 7, 2026
Written for U.S. passport holders
License Requirements
- You need both a valid U.S. license and an International Driving Permit to drive or rent a car in South Korea — a U.S. license alone isn't accepted at rental counters or in a roadside check.
- South Korea recognizes IDPs issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention, which is exactly the format AAA and AATA issue in the U.S., so the standard American IDP works here without the complication seen in Brazil.
- The IDP is valid for up to 1 year from its issue date.
The Gotcha
Unlike Brazil, South Korea is a clean case: it recognizes the same 1949-Geneva-Convention IDP that AAA/AATA already issue by default in the U.S., so there's no special document to track down — just remember that both the license and the IDP are required together, and that the 1-year validity clock starts on the IDP's issue date.
Sources
This page was drafted from the primary sources below. Rules change — check the linked page directly before relying on any of this.
- Driving in Korea — U.S. Embassy & Consulate in the Republic of Korea