South Korea on a German Licence 2026: 1968 IDP Accepted
Germany
South Korea
A German licence alone is not valid in Korea; carry the 1968-model IDP from your Führerscheinstelle. It covers one year from entry. Expressways: 100 km/h, 120 where signed; alcohol 0.03%.
For a German driver, the surprise in South Korea is that the card that works anywhere in Europe is not enough on its own. The road itself is the easy part: Korea drives on the right, as Germany does.
The permit, not just the card
Korea’s Road Traffic Act (article 96) lets a foreign visitor drive for one year from the date of entry on an international permit issued under the 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna convention, carried with the home licence. A national licence alone is not accepted. Germany is a party only to the 1968 convention, so the permit your local Führerscheinstelle issues is the 1968 model, and Korea takes it. It cannot be obtained after you land, and a rental desk will turn you away without it. The Driving Permit Checker confirms the combination.
Slower than the Autobahn
Korea’s enforcement rule sets expressways at 100 km/h, rising to 120 km/h only on routes designated for it. Ordinary roads are 60 km/h, or 80 km/h on dual carriageways, and towns are lower still. Speed cameras, including average-speed sections, are common, so set the cruise control and keep the left lane for overtaking.
Alcohol
The limit is 0.03%, against Germany’s 0.05%. Canada’s travel advice warns that police can confiscate the licence on the spot and that convictions bring heavy fines and jail. If you are driving, drink nothing.
Numbers and signs
Police 112; fire and ambulance 119. Main road signs carry English under the Korean script, but rural signs may not, so download offline maps. The South Korea driving guide has the rest.
Sources
- Korean government legal portal (easylaw), driving with a foreign licence or international permit (Road Traffic Act art. 96; one year from entry; 1949 or 1968 permits; national licence alone not accepted): easylaw.go.kr
- Enforcement Rule of the Road Traffic Act, art. 19 (speed limits): law.go.kr
- UN Treaty Collection, 1968 Convention on Road Traffic (Germany a party): treaties.un.org
- Global Affairs Canada, South Korea travel advice (IDP or Korean licence; 0.03%; penalties): travel.gc.ca
- GOV.UK foreign travel advice, South Korea, getting help (police 112; fire and ambulance 119): gov.uk
- WHO Global status report on road safety 2023, Germany profile (0.05 g/dl): who.int
Speed limits, fines, equipment & license requirements
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Frequently Asked Questions
No. Korea's Road Traffic Act (article 96) lets visitors drive for one year from entry on an international permit issued under the 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna convention, and says a national licence alone is not accepted. Germany is a party to the 1968 convention and issues that permit through the local Führerscheinstelle; get it before you fly.
100 km/h on expressways, up to 120 km/h only where the route is designated and signed for it. Ordinary roads outside towns are 60 km/h, or 80 on dual carriageways, so nothing like an unrestricted Autobahn.
0.03%, below Germany's 0.05%. Canada's advice warns that police can confiscate a licence on the spot and that convictions bring heavy fines and jail.