How to Get a Car in Korea for Expats

A detailed guide on how to rent or buy a car for expats in Korea. iWonderKorea can help ensure that it is a safe and legal process for you.

---

Whether you have moved here short-term or for the long haul, there is no denying that having access to a car will make living here a lot easier. With COVID-19 cases increasing, it’s more important than ever to ensure that your transportation choices are safe and comfortable for you. Here are some options to get started.

Kakao Taxi

Korea doesn’t operate Uber or Lyft like Western countries do, but instead have all of their systems filtered through Kakao, in this case being Kakao Taxi. This is an app that you can download onto your phone, but it requires a phone number to be activated. Typically, this is a good option, but if you are looking to explore more than just where you live, it can get expensive to use and some places become inaccessible.

Renting A Car

This is a solid option for any weekend trips and the urge to go somewhere that is just too difficult to reach by bus or too expensive by taxi. Renting a car here requires either an international driver’s permit or a Korean driver’s license. If you opt for the international permit, you will want to obtain it in your home country prior to arriving in Korea, which is the suggested option. Or if you already reside in Korea, you can contact your driving service provider from your native country and have it delivered to you, the fee is dependent. If you opt to obtain your Korean license, you will have to go to your local Korean driver’s test center and bring all required documents:

• valid driver’s license

• passport

• ARC

• 3 colored passport photos

• an apostille

• a government document from Korea that is stamped to show your entry/ exit of Korea

Please note that in some cases with rental service companies, they will require that you have the Korean license for at least a year before renting to you. They are especially strict on Jeju Island.

Buying A Car

This is an obvious best-case scenario and is a rather simple process, even if you are a foreigner. There are so many options for used cars at relatively low prices. To rent a car, you will have to obtain your Korean license. As mentioned above, it will require you to go to your local Korean driver’s test center and bring all the required documents. They will exchange your original license for the Korean license on that same day, it’s a really efficient process. Then, you are valid to purchase and own a car here. From there, you can choose between new dealerships or used car options. Upon purchasing, you will be required to obtain insurance for the car, which can be paid monthly or annually, and pay the initial registration fees. There can be a lot of misinformation, so be sure to review the paperwork before signing off on your new set of wheels.

• Please note that all processes, including documentation, filing insurance, and negotiation with the car dealer, are done in Korean, and this can be quite difficult if you're not fluent in the language.

If you are unsure how to proceed, ask iWonderKorea for help to legally purchase a car on your own terms, review your documents, set you up with a trusted dealer, and handle the registration and insurance without worrying about the language barrier and any misinformation. We can connect you to Korean government offices and registered insurance companies so you can rest assured that each process is legal and without hassle. A translator fluent in English and Korean will be there to assist you every step of the way.

So, if you're up for some adventures in Korea this summer, it's probably best to get away from the city and the crowds in your own car!

“My husband and I recently moved to a new place that's far from the city so we wanted to buy a car to make things more convenient for us. The process of exchanging his international driver’s license wasn’t too difficult and the requirements were easily laid out, but we struggled when it came to actually purchasing a car. Besides the language barrier, we wanted to ensure that we would be getting a good deal on a vehicle, obtain the proper paperwork, and acquire good insurance. We got in touch with our friend from iWonderKorea who helped us with find a car and within our budget, and we were able to solidify a deal in less than a week. Now we can travel all around Korea! Thanks so much, guys!” — Bree Dunn-Hucko, Jeonju, South Korea

iWonderKorea is a startup working to bridge the gap between International and Korean communities. We help expats through our services. Click here for more information on our services. Email us at my.wonderkorea@gmail.com or call us at 010-8449-4433.