Test format
The written test is taken on a computer at a testing center. There are 40 questions; a Class 1 license requires 70 or more and a Class 2 license 60 or more. Results appear on screen right after the test.
Questions include text-only items, items based on photos or illustrations, and items where you judge hazards from short videos. Most ask for one correct answer, but some ask for two, so read each question to the end.
Questions are mostly short, but some ask you to pick the statement that is wrong, so reading too fast can lead you to answer the opposite. Always check the end of the question and read all four choices before answering.
What is covered
- Signals and signs: meaning of signal colors, warning, regulatory, instruction and supplementary signs, road markings
- Rules of the road: lane use, overtaking, intersections and yielding, roundabouts
- Speed and distance: speed limits, slowing in bad weather, following distance, stopping distance
- Protecting pedestrians, children and older people: crosswalks, child protection zones, school buses
- Penalty points and punishment: drunk-driving thresholds, points and license suspension or revocation
- Vehicle care: inspection, warning lights, eco and economical driving
- Accidents and emergencies: what to do after a crash, warning triangles for breakdowns, basic first aid
- Motorcycles, bicycles and personal mobility devices: helmets, how to ride on the road
How to study efficiently
The Korea Road Traffic Authority publishes the written test question bank. Rather than memorizing items, understanding why each answer is correct sticks longer and keeps you steady when wording changes.
Start by topic, then try full 40-question mock exams once you are comfortable. Re-solving only the questions you got wrong reduces repeat mistakes. Make a separate note of number-based facts (blood alcohol levels, penalty points, speed limits, following distance).
Short sessions spread over several days stick better than cramming in one day. Group signs by shape and color (for example, triangles for warnings and circles for regulations) to reduce confusion.
Commonly missed points
- Yellow light: if you are already in the intersection, clear it quickly; if not, stop before the stop line.
- Right turns: stop if pedestrians are on the crosswalk; on a red light, come to a stop first before proceeding.
- Drunk driving: a blood alcohol concentration of 0.03% or more means suspension, 0.08% or more means revocation.
- Child protection zones: the speed limit is generally 30 km/h.
- Emergency vehicles approaching: at or near an intersection, avoid the intersection and stop temporarily at the right edge of the road.
On test day
Bring your ID, the application form you received when applying, and glasses if needed. You can only take the test after completing safety education and the medical check, so confirm the order.
If you fail, you can apply again. Just remember that after passing you must pass the course test within one year. Tests in some foreign languages are also offered for foreigners and people less comfortable with Korean.
Arrive early and wait as directed at the counter. Phones cannot be used during the test, so put yours away beforehand.
FAQ
How many questions are there and what is the pass mark?
There are 40 questions; 70 or more passes for Class 1, and 60 or more for Class 2.
Are the questions published?
The Korea Road Traffic Authority publishes the written test question bank. Use official materials to check the scope and practice by understanding the reasons.
Does a pass expire?
You must pass the course test within one year of passing the written test. Otherwise you need to retake the written test.
Are there questions with two correct answers?
Yes. The number to choose is stated in the question, so read to the end and choose that many.
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
Original practice questions to cover every area of Korea's written test. Practice by topic, check your level with a 40-question mock exam, then collect and redo the ones you got wrong.
How to Get a LicenseIn 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.
Traffic Lights and Safety SignsSignals tell you when to go and when to stop; signs tell you what to watch for and what not to do on that road. Once you know the color and shape rules, you can guess the meaning of signs you have never seen.
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.
Course TestIn Korea, the course test checks basic vehicle handling on a closed course at the testing center; 80 points or more passes for both Class 1 and Class 2 Ordinary. Knowing the automatic-fail items matters more than the minor deductions.