‍Under 21?

• Most major rental companies will not rent to you.
• A few small local companies may accept age 19–20,but usually with strong restrictions and higher prices.

If you are under 21, it is usually safer to:

• use public transportation, or
• book a private driver or tours, instead of trying to drive yourself.

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2. Driving Experience

Most rental companies in Korea require:

• Minimum driving experience: 1 year
• Counted from your license issue date

For example: if your license was issued on March 1, 2025,

you can normally rent from March 1, 2026.

If you have less than 1 year of experience, many companies will not rent to you.

3. How Long Can You Drive in Korea?

Korea has a 1‑year rule.

Rule: You can drive in Korea for up to 1 year from your Korea entry date.

• Your IDP may be valid for 1 year (Geneva Convention), or
• Your IDP may be valid for up to 3 years (Vienna Convention).

But in Korea, the limit is always 1 year from your entry date.

Example 1

• You enter Korea on March 1, 2026.
• Your IDP expires on December 1, 2026.

You can drive until December 1, 2026

→ Your IDP expires first.

Example 2

• You enter Korea on March 1, 2026.
• Your IDP expires on June 1, 2027.

You can drive until March 1, 2027

→ 1 year from entry (Korea rule is stronger than IDP expiry).

If you leave and re‑enter Korea

• When you leave Korea and come back later, the 1‑year clock resets from your new entry date.
• But your IDP must still be valid.

and rules can change, so always check the latest official guidance.

If your IDP expires during your trip

• You must stop driving when your IDP expires.
• You cannot renew your IDP in Korea.
• You must get a new IDP in your home country.

4. Credit Card Requirement

To rent a car in Korea, you almost always need:

• A credit card in your own name

It must be:

• Not a debit card
• Not someone else’s card
• A major brand, for example: Visa, Mastercard, or American Express

Why?

• Rental companies place a deposit hold on your card.
• This is usually around ₩300,000 – ₩1,000,000.
• The money is not taken, but it is blocked until you return the car.

If you do not have a credit card in your name:

• Many rental companies will not accept your booking.
• Some local companies may accept cash deposits, but this is rare and may not be safe for foreign visitors.

📢 Summary

Before you reserve a car, check:

1. Age
   • Are you at least 21 years old?
   • For luxury cars or vans, are you 23–25+ if required?
2. Driving experience
   • Have you had your license for at least 1 year?
3. Driving period in Korea
   • Is your IDP valid for your whole trip?
   • Do you understand the 1‑year from entry rule?
4. Credit card
   • Do you have a credit card in your name for the deposit?

If you cannot say “Yes” to all four,

you should not drive in Korea.

Use public transport, private drivers, or tours instead.

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Important note about updates

Age, rental rules, and deposit policies can change at any time.

This article was written in February 2026.

Always check:

• The rental company’s own website, and
• The latest information from Korean government or tourism websites

before you book a car or drive in Korea.

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