Korean Driver's Licenses Explained: Which vehicles can you drive?

A quick guide to Korea's driver's license classes — so you know exactly which vehicles you're allowed to drive, and how to upgrade.

Korean licenses are split into Class 1 (commercial/large) and Class 2 (passenger/small). For a standard passenger car or SUV you need a Class 2 Ordinary (9 seats or less). For larger vehicles (up to 15 seats) or manual transmission, your class is set when you take the tests.

🚗 CLASS 1 LICENSES

• Large (1종 대형): Passenger vehicles with more than 15 seats, large cargo trucks, and construction equipment.
• Ordinary (1종 보통): Passenger vehicles up to 15 seats, cargo trucks up to 12 tons, and construction machinery. Commonly used for commercial driving.
• Special (1종 특수): Towing large or small trailers, and operating wrecker/recovery vehicles.

🚙 CLASS 2 LICENSES

• Ordinary (2종 보통): The most common license — regular passenger cars and SUVs (9 seats or less), in automatic or manual. Also allows motorcycles under 125cc.
• Small (2종 소형): For smaller vehicles and ATVs.
• Motorized Bicycle (2종 원동기장치자전거): Only for mopeds and motorcycles under 125cc.

ℹ️ IMPORTANT DETAILS

• Automatic vs. Manual: Class 1 and Class 2 Ordinary each come in Automatic (A) or Manual — this restricts which transmission you may legally drive.
• Age: At least 18 for Class 2 Ordinary, and 19 for Class 1 (or 1+ year of driving experience).

⚠️ Don't lose common sense — only buy or drive a vehicle your license actually allows. If police catch you driving outside your class, you face big fines for traffic-law violations.

🔼 UPGRADING FROM CLASS 2 TO CLASS 1
To upgrade a Class 2 Ordinary (manual or automatic) to a Class 1 Ordinary, complete the required road-driving training and pass the on-road test at any official Driver's License Examination Center.

Steps:

1. Verify eligibility — you must have held your Class 2 license for at least one year with no disqualifications.
2. Visit your nearest Driver's License Examination Center.
3. Complete the aptitude test — a basic physical/eye exam.
4. Get a Class 1 Learner's (Practice) Permit.
5. Complete mandatory driving hours — upgrading from Class 2 Automatic to Class 1 requires 6 hours of road training at a certified institute.
6. Pass the Class 1 on-road test to receive your updated license.

📄 REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

• Your current Class 2 driver's license
• Alien Registration Card (ARC) or Korean ID card
• 3 color passport-sized photos (taken within the last 6 months)
• Fees for the aptitude test, practice license, and road test (about 30,000–40,000 KRW total)

Note: Rules and fees can change — always confirm the latest details at an official Driver's License Examination Center (Korea Road Traffic Authority, 도로교통공단).