Travel alerts & warnings
Korea (Rep.) driving guide.
South Korea has well-maintained expressways, but city traffic can be heavy and rural mountain roads narrow and winding. Use Naver Map or KakaoMap for local navigation, as Google Maps has limited driving directions.
- Advisory
- Do not travel
- Drives on
- Right
- Best season
- April to May…
- Permit honored
- Yes
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Level 4: Do Not Travel
Do not travelto North Korea due to wrongful detention and other risks.
- Do not travel to North Korea due to the continuing serious risk of arrest, long-term detention, and the threat of wrongful detention of U.S. citizens.
- Do not travel to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea for any reason.
- U.S. passports cannot be used to travel to, in, or through the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea) unless they are specially validated for such travel by the Secretary of State.
- Special validations are granted only in very limited circumstances. Review the information on how to apply for the special validation.
- Because the U.S. government does not have diplomatic relations with North Korea, it cannot provide direct help to U.S. citizens in North Korea in emergencies.
- Sweden serves as the U.S. protecting power in North Korea through its Embassy in Pyongyang and provides limited consular services to U.S. citizens. Additionally, the North Korean government has often delayed or denied Swedish officials access to U.S. citizens who are detained.
Driving there
Your permit in Korea (Rep.)
- Korea (Rep.) honors the International Driving Permit. The permit is a translation of your license into ten languages — it is not a license on its own.
- Carry your valid U.S. driver's license with the permit at all times. The permit is valid for one year and only while your U.S. license is valid.
- Rental companies and local police can be stricter than national law. Confirm the requirement with your rental company before you travel.
Advisory information is published by the U.S. Department of State and reproduced here for convenience. It can change at any time — always check the official advisory before you travel. USIDA does not issue travel advisories.
Before you drive
Top travel tips for Korea (Rep.)
Road rules
Everyone must wear a seat belt. Before turning right at a red light, stop fully, yield to pedestrians and obey any dedicated right-turn signal. The drink-driving threshold is 0.03% blood alcohol; avoid alcohol entirely before driving.
Speed limits
Typical limits are 50 km/h on urban roads, 30 km/h in school zones, 60–80 km/h on rural roads and 100–110 km/h on expressways. Posted limits override these figures; fixed cameras and average-speed enforcement are common.
Expressway tolls
Most expressways charge tolls. Use Hi-Pass lanes only if your rental has an activated transponder and an agreed payment arrangement. Otherwise, use regular toll lanes, collect a ticket where required and keep Korean won available for payment.
Fuel stops
Check whether your rental takes gasoline (휘발유), diesel (경유) or LPG before filling up. Self-service stations are common, and expressway service areas usually have fuel and toilets. If a foreign card fails at a pump, ask the attendant for help.
Rentals and police checks
Carry your passport, original driving licence and a valid International Driving Permit accepted in Korea; the IDP does not replace your licence. Confirm the rental company's age, licence-history and vehicle-category requirements. Keep the rental agreement handy for police checks, and expect roadside breath-testing checkpoints.
Worth the drive
Places to see in Korea (Rep.)
Hwaseong Fortress
Suwon, Gyeonggi-do · About 45–90 minutes from central Seoul, depending on traffic.
UNESCO-listed fortress walls, impressive gates and an old-town district best explored on foot after parking.
Seoraksan National Park
Near Sokcho, Gangwon-do · About 1–1.5 hours from Gangneung to the Seorak-dong entrance.
Granite peaks, forest trails and brilliant autumn foliage; arrive early because entrance parking fills quickly.
Gyeongju Historic Areas
Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do · About 45–75 minutes from central Ulsan.
Silla royal tombs, Cheomseongdae observatory and Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, with additional heritage sites spread around the city.
Juknokwon Bamboo Forest
Damyang, Jeollanam-do · About 30–45 minutes from central Gwangju.
Shaded bamboo paths and nearby countryside make an easy day trip; leave the car in designated visitor parking.
Hahoe Folk Village
Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do · About 1.5–2 hours from central Daegu.
A UNESCO-listed traditional village surrounded by a river bend, with preserved houses and rural scenery.
Seongsan Ilchulbong
Eastern Jeju Island · About 1–1.5 hours from Jeju City.
A dramatic volcanic tuff cone with coastal views, easily combined with nearby seaside villages. Rent a car on Jeju rather than treating it as a mainland drive.
Heading to Korea (Rep.)?
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