A license and a qualification are different
A driver's license is permission under the Road Traffic Act that sets which vehicles you can drive. To drive a commercial vehicle that carries people or goods for pay, you also need a driving qualification under the Passenger Transport Service Act or the Trucking Transport Business Act.
So if you are thinking of driving as a job, check both which license and which qualification you need. For example, even with a Class 1 Large license, you cannot drive a city bus without a bus driver qualification.
Class 1 Large and Special licenses
A Class 1 Large license is for driving large passenger vehicles (buses) and large trucks. A Class 1 Special license is divided into large tractor (pulling trailers), small tractor and wrecker (towing broken-down vehicles); get the type that matches your work.
Both require you to be at least 19 and have at least one year of driving experience with a Class 1 or Class 2 Ordinary license (excluding motorcycles). You take the written test and then the course test; because the vehicles are big, practicing vehicle size awareness and turning radius is especially important.
With a Class 1 Large license, you can also drive all vehicles covered by Class 1 Ordinary.
Freight transport qualification
To drive a commercial truck (one with business plates) and transport goods for pay, you need a freight transport qualification. The Korea Transportation Safety Authority runs the exam and manages the qualification.
The general flow is: hold a license for the truck, check age and driving experience requirements, take a detailed driving aptitude test, pass the qualification exam, and complete training to receive the certificate. Check the Korea Transportation Safety Authority's latest guidance for details.
Carrying your own goods in a private truck is not a transport business, so this qualification is not needed. If you plan to buy a truck and start freight work, also look into permits related to business plates.
Bus driver qualification
To drive commercial buses such as city, intercity or charter buses, you need a bus driver qualification. You must hold a license for the bus (Class 1 Large for large buses), and age and driving experience requirements apply.
The flow of a detailed aptitude test, qualification exam and training is similar to the freight qualification. Since the job carries responsibility for passenger safety, regular training and checks continue.
Taxi driver qualification
To drive a company or individual taxi, you need a taxi driver qualification. Because knowing local geography matters, the exam includes a geography subject, and the body running the exam can differ by region.
An individual taxi business license is separate from the taxi driver qualification and requires meeting conditions set by each region, such as driving experience.
Disqualifications and maintaining the qualification
Transport qualifications cannot be obtained, or can be revoked, if you have certain criminal records or a recent license revocation. Violations like drunk driving hurt professional drivers far more than ordinary drivers.
Even after qualifying, you may need refresher training or regular aptitude checks, and while your license is suspended or revoked you cannot drive commercial vehicles.
FAQ
Can I become a bus driver with just a Class 1 Large license?
No. To drive a commercial bus, you need a bus driver qualification along with the Class 1 Large license.
Do I need a qualification for a 1-ton commercial truck?
If it is a commercial truck carrying goods for pay, you need the freight transport qualification regardless of vehicle size.
What types of Class 1 Special licenses are there?
Three: large tractor, small tractor and wrecker. Get the type that matches the vehicle you will drive.
Where are the transport qualification exams held?
Freight, bus and taxi qualifications are mainly administered by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, though the taxi exam body can differ by region.
Sources
- Road Traffic Act
- Passenger Transport Service Act
- Trucking Transport Business Act
- Korea Transportation Safety Authority
Laws change. This is general information. Check KoROAD or the Korean Law Information Center for the latest rules.
Related
In Korea, driver's licenses are divided into Class 1, Class 2 and learner's permits. Most people choose either Class 1 Ordinary or Class 2 Ordinary for passenger cars; buses, large trucks and tow vehicles require separate licenses.
How to Get a LicenseIn Korea, the order is: traffic safety education โ medical check โ written test โ course test โ learner's permit โ road test โ license issuance. The test order is the same whether you attend a driving school or prepare on your own.
Penalty Points, Fines and Penalty ChargesIn Korea, penalty points are added for each violation or crash. At 40 points your licence is suspended for one day per point, and if points accumulated over one, two or three years pass the threshold, it is revoked. If the driver is identified you get a fine plus points; if not, as with speed cameras, the owner gets a penalty charge.
Drunk Driving Limits and PenaltiesIn Korea, drunk driving starts at 0.03% blood alcohol. Criminal punishment comes on top of licence action, and refusing a test is punished about as heavily as a high reading. Alcohol left over from the night before counts the same, and after revocation you cannot get a new licence for a set period.