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Car hire in South Korea
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Driving in South Korea on an Australian licence
International Driving Permit rules and car hire for Australians.
Yes - Australians need an International Driving Permit for South Korea.
South Korea accepts the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP issued in Australia. Carry it with your Australian licence and passport.
Drives on the rightOpposite to Australia
Minimum age 21For most hire companies
$45-$85Typical daily hire
IDP required1949 Geneva Convention
Is hiring a car in South Korea worth it?
Worth it on Jeju, rarely worth it on the mainland.
Typical daily hire runs $45-$85.
Where to hire a car in South Korea
Prices are indicative, shown in AUD and refreshed from provider APIs where available. Always confirm the final price on the provider's site - it is the price that applies. We may earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never changes what you pay. A row labelled "Featured partner" holds a paid position at the top of the table. Partners are listed before providers who pay us nothing, as our terms set out; sorting by price ignores all of that and orders on the number alone. How we make money.
What Australian drivers need to know in South Korea
- Most visitors don't need a car - Seoul's subway and the KTX high-speed rail cover almost everything.
- Jeju Island is the main exception, where a car is genuinely useful.
- Speed cameras are everywhere and fines are automatic.
- Blood alcohol limit is 0.03, lower than Australia's 0.05.
Driving without the permit here means driving uninsured. Australian policies exclude claims from driving without a valid licence for that vehicle in that country, and in South Korea the International Driving Permit is part of being validly licensed.
You can only get an International Driving Permit in Australia, before you fly - the state motoring clubs issue them for about $49 and it takes a fortnight to be safe. How to get one, and where it works.
More South Korea essentials
South Korea visa and entry rules
Passport, visa, arrival cards and customs rules for Australian passport holders.
Flights to South Korea
Search fares from Australia, then sort the rest of the trip.
South Korea eSIM plans
Instant data, no physical SIM required.
South Korea travel insurance
Medical, cancellation and luggage cover for Australian travellers.
South Korea money and cards
Cards, cash and FX fees for Australian travellers.
South Korea airport transfers
Trains, buses, private transfers and taxis compared.
South Korea travel essentials
Adapters, plugs, tap water, tipping and health basics.
Things to do in South Korea
Attractions, tours and passes worth booking ahead.
Further reading: International Driving Permit: which countries Australians need one for
How these comparisons are made
Licence and permit rules come from the destination's road authority and the Australian motoring clubs that issue International Driving Permits, and each page states whether an IDP is legally required, required in practice by hire companies, or genuinely not needed - three different situations most sites blur into one. Read the full editorial policy.
South Korea driving FAQs
Do I need an International Driving Permit in South Korea?
Yes, if you plan to drive. Korea accepts the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP issued in Australia, carried with your Australian licence and passport.
Planning South Korea?
We will send you the South Korea guide as it grows - what to book before you go, which eSIM and travel card are worth it there, and what things actually cost in Australian dollars.