What Types of Driver’s Licenses Are Available?
Driver’s licenses in South Korea are divided into Class 1, Class 2, and learner’s permits according to the type and size of vehicle that may be driven. Even for similar vehicles, the required license may vary depending on seating capacity, maximum payload, gross vehicle weight, and engine displacement. You should therefore check which license is required for the vehicle you intend to drive.
Check Which Vehicles You Can Drive by License Type
Types of Class 1 Driver’s Licenses
Class 1 Large Vehicle License
A Class 1 Large Vehicle License allows the holder to drive passenger cars, passenger vans, buses, and cargo vehicles. It also permits the operation of certain types of construction equipment, including dump trucks, concrete mixer trucks, concrete pump trucks, and road maintenance trucks. Special-purpose vehicles other than towing vehicles and recovery vehicles may also be driven, as well as motorized bicycles.
Class 1 Ordinary License
A Class 1 Ordinary License allows the holder to drive passenger cars, passenger vehicles with a seating capacity of 15 people or fewer, and cargo vehicles with a maximum payload of less than 12 metric tons. Vehicles transporting hazardous materials may be driven only when their maximum payload is 3 metric tons or less or their carrying capacity is 3,000 liters or less. General special-purpose vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of less than 10 metric tons, forklifts weighing less than 3 metric tons when operated on public roads, and motorized bicycles may also be driven.
Class 1 Small Vehicle License
A Class 1 Small Vehicle License allows the holder to drive three-wheeled cargo vehicles, three-wheeled passenger vehicles, and motorized bicycles. In practice, obtaining a new license of this type is no longer possible because testing vehicles and testing centers are not currently available.
Class 1 Special Large Towing License
A Class 1 Special Large Towing License is required to drive towing-type special-purpose vehicles such as tractor-trailers. Holders of this license may also drive vehicles covered by a Class 2 Ordinary License.
Class 1 Special Small Towing License
A Class 1 Special Small Towing License allows the holder to drive towing-type special-purpose vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 3.5 metric tons or less. It may be required when towing a small caravan or camping trailer. Holders may also drive vehicles covered by a Class 2 Ordinary License.
Class 1 Special Recovery Vehicle License
A Class 1 Special Recovery Vehicle License is required to operate special-purpose vehicles used to recover vehicles involved in accidents or breakdowns. A driver must obtain this license to operate a tow truck equipped with vehicle recovery equipment. Holders may also drive vehicles covered by a Class 2 Ordinary License.
Types of Class 2 Driver’s Licenses
Class 2 Ordinary License
A Class 2 Ordinary License allows the holder to drive passenger cars, passenger vehicles with a seating capacity of 10 people or fewer, and cargo vehicles with a maximum payload of 4 metric tons or less. Vehicles transporting hazardous materials are excluded. General special-purpose vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 3.5 metric tons or less and motorized bicycles may also be driven.
A person who obtains a Class 2 Ordinary License with an automatic transmission restriction may drive only vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission. A one-ton truck may be driven when it has an automatic transmission, but a manual transmission vehicle may not be driven.
Class 2 Small Motorcycle License
A Class 2 Small Motorcycle License allows the holder to operate motorcycles, including motorcycles with sidecars. This license is mandatory for motorcycles with an engine displacement greater than 125 cc.
Even holders of a Class 1 Large Vehicle License or Class 1 Ordinary License may not operate a motorcycle exceeding 125 cc without a Class 2 Small Motorcycle License. It is an independent license that must be obtained separately from an automobile driver’s license.
Motorized Bicycle License
A Motorized Bicycle License allows the holder to operate two-wheeled vehicles with an engine displacement of 125 cc or less. A person who already holds a Class 1 Ordinary or Class 2 Ordinary License does not need to obtain a separate Motorized Bicycle License.
However, a person holding an ordinary license with an automatic transmission restriction may operate only motorized bicycles with an automatic transmission. A Class 2 Small Motorcycle License is required when the engine displacement exceeds 125 cc.
Types of Learner’s Permits
Class 1 Ordinary Learner’s Permit
A Class 1 Ordinary Learner’s Permit allows the holder to practice driving on public roads using passenger cars, passenger vehicles with a seating capacity of 15 people or fewer, and cargo vehicles with a maximum payload of less than 12 metric tons.
Class 2 Ordinary Learner’s Permit
A Class 2 Ordinary Learner’s Permit allows the holder to practice driving on public roads using passenger cars, passenger vehicles with a seating capacity of 10 people or fewer, and cargo vehicles with a maximum payload of 4 metric tons or less.
Conclusion
Driver’s licenses in South Korea are broadly divided into Class 1, Class 2, and learner’s permits. The detailed categories include Class 1 Large, Ordinary, Small, and Special licenses, as well as Class 2 Ordinary, Small Motorcycle, and Motorized Bicycle licenses. The vehicles that may be driven depend on the seating capacity of passenger vehicles, the maximum payload of cargo vehicles, the gross weight and purpose of special-purpose vehicles, and the engine displacement of motorcycles. Before choosing a license or driving a vehicle, check the vehicle type, seating capacity, weight, and transmission restrictions shown on the vehicle registration certificate.
FAQ
What Is the Difference Between a Class 1 Ordinary License and a Class 2 Ordinary License?
A Class 1 Ordinary License allows the holder to drive passenger vehicles with a seating capacity of 15 people or fewer and cargo vehicles with a maximum payload of less than 12 metric tons. A Class 2 Ordinary License covers passenger vehicles with a seating capacity of 10 people or fewer and cargo vehicles with a maximum payload of 4 metric tons or less.
Can I Drive a One-Ton Truck With a Class 2 Ordinary License?
Yes. A one-ton truck falls within the category of cargo vehicles with a maximum payload of 4 metric tons or less, so it may be driven with a Class 2 Ordinary License. However, holders of a license restricted to automatic transmissions may drive only automatic transmission vehicles.
Can I Drive an 11-Seat Passenger Van With a Class 2 Ordinary License?
No. A Class 2 Ordinary License covers passenger vehicles with a seating capacity of 10 people or fewer. A Class 1 Ordinary License or a higher license is required to drive an 11-seat passenger vehicle.
Can I Ride a Motorcycle of 125 cc or Less With an Automobile Driver’s License?
Yes. Holders of a Class 1 Ordinary or Class 2 Ordinary License may operate a motorized bicycle with an engine displacement of 125 cc or less. However, a license with an automatic transmission restriction permits the operation of automatic transmission motorized bicycles only.
What License Is Required for a Motorcycle Exceeding 125 cc?
A Class 2 Small Motorcycle License is required to operate a motorcycle with an engine displacement greater than 125 cc. Even holders of a Class 1 Large Vehicle License or Class 1 Ordinary License may not operate such motorcycles without a Class 2 Small Motorcycle License.
What License Is Required to Drive a Large Bus?
A Class 1 Large Vehicle License is required for a passenger vehicle with a seating capacity of 16 people or more. Even when vehicles are similar in physical size, the required license may differ according to their officially registered seating capacity.
What License Is Required to Drive a Tractor-Trailer?
A Class 1 Special Large Towing License is required for a towing-type special-purpose vehicle such as a large tractor-trailer. A Class 1 Special Small Towing License may be used for a small towing-type special-purpose vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 3.5 metric tons or less.
Can I Drive a Recovery Vehicle With Only a Class 1 Large Vehicle License?
No. A Class 1 Large Vehicle License alone does not permit the operation of a recovery-type special-purpose vehicle. A Class 1 Special Recovery Vehicle License is required to operate a vehicle used to recover vehicles involved in accidents or breakdowns.
