Jeju Island Foreigner Car Rental Guide: International Driving Permit (IDP) Rules

Korea recognizes the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP

South Korea accepts International Driving Permits issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. Most English-speaking countries (the US, UK, Canada, Australia and others) issue Geneva-format permits, but travelers from countries that only issue 1968 Vienna Convention permits can find their IDP refused by a Jeju rental counter even though it looks valid. If your home country issues both formats, request the Geneva version specifically for a Korea trip.

Documents to bring -- all physical, all originals

• Valid International Driving Permit (1949 Geneva Convention format).
• Your original, physical home driver's license -- an IDP alone is not valid without it.
• Your physical passport.

Digital copies, phone photos and screenshots are generally not accepted at the rental counter. Bring the physical documents, and make sure the romanized name matches exactly across your passport, license and IDP -- inconsistencies (a missing middle name, a hyphen) can cause delays or refusal.

At the rental counter

1. Confirm your reservation includes the vehicle class you actually need -- a standard Korean license class covers vehicles up to a set passenger capacity, and larger vans may require different licensing.
2. Photograph the car's existing scratches and dents with a staff member present before driving off.
3. Confirm what your insurance covers, and ask directly about the excess/deductible for damage.

Driving in Jeju

Jeju driving is generally straightforward for visitors used to right-hand traffic countries, but road signs are primarily in Korean with English support at major junctions and highways. Speed limits and rules are strictly enforced, including for foreign-licensed drivers. Return the car with the fuel level agreed at pickup to avoid a refueling surcharge.