Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA

Exchanging a U.S. Driver’s License for a Korean Driver’s License

The Republic of Korea is a member of the Hague Conference on Private International Law and recognizes apostilles issued by foreign authorities. Therefore, U.S. citizens or Koreans with a valid U.S. driver’s license can exchange their U.S. driver’s license for a Korean driver’s license by taking a simplified version of the written exam. (This written exam can be provided in English.)

However, if your driver’s license was issued by a state with a reciprocity agreement with Korea, you are exempt from the written exam.

The following 14 U.S. states have reciprocity agreements with Korea:

• Alabama
• Florida
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Oregon
• Texas
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Colorado
• Georgia

To have your driver’s license apostilled, please contact the issuing state’s office of authentication for an apostille.

For more information on how to obtain a Korean driver’s license, please visit the Korean Driver’s License Agency’s website: https://www.koroad.or.kr/