Three branches of licenses
Korea's Road Traffic Act divides driver's licenses into Class 1, Class 2 and learner's permits. Class 1 includes Large, Ordinary, Small and Special licenses; Class 2 includes Ordinary, Small and Moped (motorized bicycle) licenses. A learner's permit is a temporary license for practicing on public roads and taking the road test before getting a full license, available for Class 1 Ordinary and Class 2 Ordinary.
The law sets which vehicles each license covers. Higher licenses generally include the scope of lower ones: a Class 1 Ordinary license covers everything a Class 2 Ordinary license does, and almost every license allows you to ride a moped.
Your license classes are shown on your license card, and one person can hold several classes. For example, someone with Class 2 Ordinary who later earns Class 2 Small will have both recorded.
Class 1 Ordinary vs. Class 2 Ordinary
These are the most common licenses. Class 2 Ordinary covers passenger cars, vans seating up to 10, and trucks with a load capacity of up to 4 tons, among others. Class 1 Ordinary is broader, covering vans seating up to 15 and trucks with a load capacity under 12 tons.
The tests differ too. The written test pass mark is 70 for Class 1 and 60 for Class 2, and the course test is usually taken in a small truck for Class 1 Ordinary and a passenger car for Class 2 Ordinary. Class 2 Ordinary can be taken in an automatic car, in which case an automatic-only condition is added and you cannot drive a manual car.
Both licenses allow you to ride a moped of 125cc or less.
Class 1 Large and Special
A Class 1 Large license covers most passenger vehicles, vans and trucks, including buses and large trucks. A Class 1 Special license is divided into large tractor (trailer towing), small tractor, and wrecker (tow truck), and is needed to drive vehicles that pull trailers or tow broken-down cars.
Both require you to be at least 19 and to have at least one year of driving experience with a Class 1 or Class 2 Ordinary license (motorcycle experience does not count). Driving buses or trucks commercially requires an additional qualification beyond the license.
Small and Moped licenses
A Class 2 Small license is needed for motorcycles over 125cc. A Moped license covers two-wheelers of 125cc or less and can be obtained from age 16. Personal mobility devices such as e-scooters also require at least a Moped license.
The Class 1 Small license is for three-wheeled trucks and cars and is rarely taken for everyday use.
Age and physical requirements
- Class 1 Ordinary, Class 2 Ordinary, Class 2 Small: age 18 or older
- Moped: age 16 or older
- Class 1 Large and Special: age 19 or older + at least 1 year of Ordinary license driving experience
- Vision: Class 1 requires 0.8 or better with both eyes and 0.5 or better in each eye; Class 2 requires 0.5 or better with both eyes (corrected vision with glasses or lenses counts)
- Class 1 requires the ability to distinguish red, green and yellow; Class 1 Large and Special also check hearing.
FAQ
Should I get Class 1 or Class 2 Ordinary?
If you will only drive passenger cars, Class 2 Ordinary is enough. If you might drive an 11–15 seat van or a truck of 1 ton or more, or want a Class 1 Large license later, Class 1 Ordinary is more convenient.
Can I drive a manual car with an automatic-only Class 2 license?
No. With an automatic-only condition you can drive only automatic cars. To drive a manual, you must retake the course test in a manual car.
Does a car license let me ride a motorcycle?
Class 1 and Class 2 Ordinary licenses cover mopeds of 125cc or less only. Motorcycles over 125cc require a Class 2 Small license.
Can I get a Class 1 Large license right away?
No. You must be at least 19 and have at least one year of driving experience with a Class 1 or Class 2 Ordinary license.
Sources
- Road Traffic Act
- Enforcement Rule of the Road Traffic Act
- Korea Road Traffic Authority Safe Driving Civil Service portal
Laws change. This is general information. Check KoROAD or the Korean Law Information Center for the latest rules.
Related
In Korea, the order is: traffic safety education → medical check → written test → course test → learner's permit → road test → license issuance. The test order is the same whether you attend a driving school or prepare on your own.
Written TestIn Korea, the written test is a 40-question computer test; 70 or more passes for Class 1 and 60 or more for Class 2. Questions come from the question bank published by the Korea Road Traffic Authority, so steady practice by topic is enough to prepare.
Large, Special & Commercial QualificationsIn Korea, a driver's license alone is not enough to drive buses, trucks or taxis commercially. In addition to a license that matches the vehicle size (such as Class 1 Large or Special), each industry requires its own qualification, such as freight transport, bus driver or taxi driver.
E-Scooters, Motorcycles and BicyclesIn Korea, an e-scooter is a vehicle under the Road Traffic Act. You need a licence, must wear a helmet and must ride alone. Pavements are off limits; use bicycle roads or the right edge of the road. Moped and small-class licences are split by engine size.