If you’re visiting or moving to Jeju Island in South Korea, there are a few essential things to know about driving on the island. Here are some tips to keep you safe while you’re here, including how to swap over your driver’s license for a Korean one.

Beware of Roundabouts

So apparently, Jeju Island is the ONLY place in South Korea with roundabouts, which is probably why no one knows how to use them properly! These things are a serious accident trap, with most people usually choosing to stop ON the roundabout to let people on, rather than giving way and waiting until the roundabout is clear before you get ON the roundabout. 

Buses and trucks are particularly dangerous and never give way, so be VERY wary when entering a roundabout. The extra tricky thing, particularly if you’re driving around the Global Education Centre (GEC), where all the international schools are, is that there’s a mix of local and international drivers who obviously have very different concepts of how to use a roundabout. When in doubt, slow down and go cautiously!

Watch For Speed Bumps

There are many speed bumps spread throughout the island, including many that aren’t actually speed bumps, but just lines drawn on the road to look like speed bumps to encourage people to slow down. And you’ll soon see why, as in my experience, many drivers don’t pay attention to the island’s speed limits. They also tailgate, so be aware. Most of the time, you’ll be the only one slowing down for a speed bump, so look behind before hitting your brakes and try to give plenty of warning. Many drivers drive around the speed bump (with one wheel on and one off the road) or fly over the top without considering the car’s suspension!

Learn To Reverse Park

Almost all of the parking spots on Jeju Island require you to reverse park into them – so I’d suggest brushing up on your reversing skills before heading here.

Keep An Eye On The Traffic Lights

Some traffic lights on the island, particularly around the GEC, tend to operate on a peak and off-peak cycle. So when it’s not school drop-off time, the lights flash orange, turning into a typical give-way intersection. The only problem is many people seem to ignore the lights when they are working, so again, when approaching any set of lights, just be wary and look both ways, even if it’s a green light!

Type of License Required

You will need an international driver’s license from your home country to drive on Jeju Island and anywhere in South Korea. To get one, you’ll need to ensure your local driver’s license is current and then apply. Most international driver’s licenses tend only last 12 months. 

How to Get a Korean License

If you’re moving to Korea, you can also organise a Korean driver’s license, available for citizens of many countries, including Australia and the UK (check out the complete list of acknowledged countries). If you’re a recognised country where you’re able to swap your license, you’ll need to organise the following:

• Original license
• Original passport
• Alien Registration Card (ARC)
• Three colour photos (within the last six months)
• Copy of your license that has been certified or apostilled from your home country’s embassy
• Certificate of the Facts Concerning your exit & entry (which you can get from a few different spots, including the local GEC office)
• Fee – around 10,000 won

You’ll need to visit a Driver’s License Examination office with the above documents, fill out some paperwork, and undertake a quick eye check. 

Most people must physically swap over their home license and leave it at the examination office to get a Korean license. They let me keep my license as an Australian, but every UK and US teacher I have spoken to had to leave theirs. If you’re leaving Korea and need to get it back (even for a holiday home), you can collect it anytime but bring proof of your flights home (as they will usually ask to see these before returning your license). 

Renting a car on Jeju (or anywhere else in South Korea)

To hire a car in South Korea, you’ll also need an international driver’s license, so make sure you organise one before visiting. There are plenty of places to hire online to try to nab a good deal before you arrive, including Kayak, Klook and RentalCars.com.

For more info, visit Safe Driving Korea and good luck!!