Preparing for a first Korean driver license test involves more than studying the question bank. Complete the required pre-test traffic-safety education, check whether you need an on-site medical examination, and prepare your application documents and photos. Education and test schedules are separate, so check the exact test center timetable before trying to complete several steps in one day.
Quick answer. A first-time applicant normally completes one hour of free traffic-safety education before the written test. A medical check may be available at the test center or at a hospital, but several test centers do not have an examination room. Bring acceptable identification and recent 3.5 × 4.5 cm color photos taken within six months.The usual sequence
The general path is pre-test safety education → medical check → written test → closed-course skills test → learner permit → road test → license issuance. Eligibility, exemptions and required steps depend on the license class and licenses already held. Confirm the class you plan to take before booking.
Pre-test traffic-safety education
The official guide lists first-time applicants, including moped applicants, as participants. Holders of a military driving license converting to a general license are also included. A person who already holds a license and is adding another class, a foreign-license holder converting to a Korean license, and a person applying only for an International Driving Permit are listed as exclusions.
The course must be completed before the written test. It consists of one hour of audiovisual instruction and is free. Bring acceptable identification. Schedules vary by test center, and the reservation page instructs visitors to bring ID and arrive 30 minutes early. The official page also warns that a written test cannot be registered for or taken after an evening education session held beyond normal business hours. Check the timetable when planning both on the same day.
Where to take the medical check
Medical checks are available in examination rooms at many driver-license test centers or at qualifying hospitals. The official service currently lists Mungyeong, Gangneung, Taebaek, Gwangyang, Chungju and Chuncheon as centers without an on-site examination room. Facilities may change, so verify the selected center immediately before visiting.
Bring identification and recent 3.5 × 4.5 cm color photos. The medical-check page lists two photos, while the overall test-supplies guide lists three passport-style photos for a new application. These pages describe different stages of the process. Carrying three matching photos is the safer choice for a first-time applicant completing the whole application.
Using a recent national health examination
A national health-insurance or medical-aid examination result, or a military physical-examination result, issued within two years of the application may sometimes be checked through administrative-data consent instead of a separate certificate or examination, provided the required vision or hearing standards and other conditions are met. Eligibility depends on the record and license class, so confirm that your result can be used.
The official fee currently shown for an examination at a test-center facility is KRW 8,000 for Class 1 large and special licenses and KRW 7,000 for other licenses. Hospitals apply their own medical fees. Recheck the fee on the day of your visit.
Photo and identification checks
Use color photos taken within the previous six months in the 3.5 × 4.5 cm format. Three matching recent photos are more useful than a mixture of old or differently sized images. Identification must fall within the authority’s accepted range; a screenshot or ordinary photocopy is not automatically accepted as ID.
Pre-visit checklist
- Confirm the license class and eligibility rules.
- Determine whether the safety course applies and reserve a test-center schedule.
- Check whether the selected center has a medical-examination room.
- Prepare ID and three recent 3.5 × 4.5 cm color photos.
- Ask whether a health-examination record issued within two years can be retrieved with consent.
- Check the written and skills test schedules and registration cutoffs separately.
- Arrive with time to complete reception before the course or test begins.
Common questions
Can I complete the course and written test on the same day?
It may be possible when the timetable and capacity allow, but it is not guaranteed. The official service specifically says that the written test is unavailable after certain evening education sessions. Check your center’s schedule.
Do I need two photos or three?
The medical-check page lists two, while the complete new-application supplies guide lists three. Bring three matching photos for the full first-time process.
Does a health-examination record always replace the medical check?
No. The date, included test results, vision and hearing standards, license class and availability through administrative-data consent must all fit the requirements. Confirm with the test center.
Official references
- Korea Road Traffic Authority: Pre-test traffic-safety education
- Korea Road Traffic Authority: Medical check
- Korea Road Traffic Authority: Test document and supply guide
- Korea Road Traffic Authority: Driver-license test sequence
- Korean Law Information Center: Enforcement Rule, Article 57
Last reviewed: September 11, 2026. Schedules, facilities and fees can change. Recheck the Korea Road Traffic Authority Safe Driving service before visiting.
