Can an American Drive in North Korea? — In Practice, No: Here's Why

Most pages like this answer “can I drive here?” with paperwork tips. For North Korea the honest answer is different, and it is the only useful thing to lead with.

The real verdict: you won’t be driving

In practice, an American cannot self-drive in North Korea. There is no tourist car-hire industry open to foreigners, independent movement is not permitted, and every visit operates through a state-controlled guided tour with government-assigned drivers and minders. On top of that, US passports carry a State Department travel restriction for North Korea, making lawful entry difficult to begin with. So the practical answer to “can I use my US licence here?” is that the question never really arises — you travel as a passenger on a fixed itinerary, not as a driver choosing your own road.

What the rules say on paper

For completeness, the formal figures: North Korea drives on the right, the same as the United States, so there would be no side switch if driving were ever an option. The official speed limits are low — around 40 km/h in towns, 60 km/h on rural roads and 80 km/h at the top end — and the drink-drive limit is 0.0, full zero tolerance. Roads outside Pyongyang are sparse and lightly trafficked. None of this is something a visitor acts on, because you will not be the one driving.

What this means for your trip

Plan around being driven, not driving. Your itinerary, your route and your stops are arranged for you, and attempting to drive independently is not a realistic or advisable option. If you are researching the wider region and want to compare somewhere you genuinely can self-drive, our Driving Permit Checker shows where a US licence plus an IDP actually gets you behind the wheel, and the Speed Limit Map covers countries open to visiting drivers.