Poland for South Korean Drivers 2026: 1949 IDP, 0.02% Limit
South Korea
Poland
Yes, with Korea's 1949 IDP (Korea never ratified the 1968 treaty). Poland's law lists that permit; a Korean licence alone is not enough. Same side of the road; alcohol limit 0.02%.
South Korean travellers already drive on the right, so the most disorienting part of many trips abroad does not apply in Poland. The preparation that matters is the permit and a small but real change in the alcohol limit.
The licence verdict for Korean drivers
Art. 4 of Poland’s Act on Vehicle Drivers recognises three kinds of foreign document: a 1949 Geneva international permit, a licence under the 1968 Vienna Convention, and an EU/EFTA licence. South Korea is a party to the 1949 convention only: it signed the 1968 treaty in 1969 but never ratified it, so Korean IDPs are 1949 permits. That permit is exactly what Poland lists, and a Korean licence without it is not. Get the IDP at home before you fly and carry it with your licence and passport.
No side switch, faster roads
Both countries drive on the right. The difference is pace: Polish motorways run up to 140 km/h, roads outside towns 90 and built-up areas 50. Trunk routes carry heavy lorry traffic and overtaking is assertive, so keep more distance than reflex suggests. Headlights must be on at all times.
The alcohol limit is stricter than home
Poland enforces 0.02%, below South Korea’s 0.03%. Plan on no alcohol at all before driving; random breath tests are common.
Before you collect the car
Police may collect fines from foreigners on the spot, so carry a card. Under the national tariff, up to 10 km/h over costs PLN 50; the Speeding Fine Calculator estimates higher bands. 112 is the emergency number. The Poland driving guide has the full rules, and the Driving Permit Checker confirms your documents.
Sources
- Poland, Act on Vehicle Drivers of 5 January 2011 (Dz.U. 2011 nr 30 poz. 151), art. 4(1)(2) (foreign documents recognised: 1949 international permit; 1968-convention national or international licence; EU/EFTA licence): api.sejm.gov.pl
- UN Treaty Collection, 1949 Convention on Road Traffic (Republic of Korea and Poland parties): treaties.un.org
- UN Treaty Collection, 1968 Convention on Road Traffic (Poland a party; Republic of Korea signed 1969, not ratified): treaties.un.org
- Global Affairs Canada, Poland travel advice (must carry an IDP obtained before arrival; headlights at all times; 0.02%; on-the-spot fines): travel.gc.ca
- Regulation of the Prime Minister of 30 December 2021 on fines (Dz.U. 2021 poz. 2484; up to 10 km/h over PLN 50): isap.sejm.gov.pl
- WHO Global status report on road safety 2023, Poland profile (50/90/140 km/h; 0.02 g/dl): who.int
Speed limits, fines, equipment & license requirements
Your home country driving rules for reference
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, with an International Driving Permit. South Korea issues IDPs under the 1949 Geneva Convention; it signed the 1968 Vienna Convention but never ratified it. Art. 4 of Poland's Act on Vehicle Drivers accepts the 1949 permit, so get one before you leave and carry it with your Korean licence and passport.
No. South Korea and Poland both drive on the right, so roundabouts and junctions work as you expect. The adjustments are the permit and the 140 km/h motorway limit.
0.02% blood alcohol, lower than South Korea's 0.03%. Global Affairs Canada describes the penalties as severe, including heavy fines and jail, so treat it as no alcohol before driving.