Driving in Jeju as a Foreigner: Licence, IDP, Rental Car and Road Rules (2026)

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Jeju is the one place in Korea where a rental car really changes your trip: the oreums, the quiet beaches and the villages are spread across an island that buses cover slowly. I live here and drive these roads daily, so this is the guide I'd give a friend: the paperwork foreigners get stuck on, how to book, and what Jeju driving is actually like. Rental rules vary by company and change, so confirm with your provider before you pay. Last checked October 2026.

Quick answer: You need your home driver's licence plus an International Driving Permit (IDP) from a Geneva or Vienna Convention country, and your passport. Most companies require you to be 21+ with at least one year of driving experience; bigger vehicles often need 26+ and three years. Book online ahead (it is cheaper and cars sell out on holidays), take full insurance, and use Naver Map or Kakao Map for navigation. A foreign licence alone is not enough.

What you need to rent a car

Licence + IDP: both are required. The IDP must be issued under the 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna Convention. Some countries' permits are not accepted, so check yours against your rental company's list.

Names must match: the name on the IDP, your licence and your passport should be identical.

Validity: the licence must be valid for the whole rental. An IDP is generally valid for one year from issue.

Age: usually 21+ with one year of experience. Large SUVs and vans (9–12 seats) commonly require 26+ and three years. Under-26 drivers may be limited to smaller cars.

Residents: people who have lived in Korea for over a year generally cannot rent with a foreign licence and IDP.

Requirements differ between companies, and some ask for extra documents. Email the rental company with your licence country and permit type before you book. If they say yes in writing, bring that email.

Booking tips

  • Book online and early. Online rates are usually well below walk-in rates, and cars can sell out on weekends, holidays and in autumn and cherry-blossom season. To compare cars and prices before you go, use Klook's car rental search and set pick-up to Jeju International Airport (CJU).
  • Rentals are charged in 24-hour blocks. Insurance is often charged per calendar day, so a 10:00 to 10:00 rental can bill one rental day but two insurance days. Check how your company counts.
  • Take full insurance. Basic cover usually includes third-party liability and damage; full on-site cover costs extra per day. Towing, snow chains, navigation and interior damage are often excluded, so read the terms.
  • Extra drivers: one or two additional drivers may be registered free with some booking platforms, but only if they also meet the requirements.
  • Child seats cost extra and must be requested in advance.

Pickup and return at Jeju Airport

Rental offices are a short drive from the terminal, and companies run free shuttles from the airport gates (see our airport guide for which gate). Shuttles typically run every 10 minutes or so and take under 10 minutes. Return the car to the same office, hand over the key, and take the shuttle back. Return it at least an hour before your flight, with the same fuel level you started with, or you will be charged for refuelling. Photograph every side of the car at pickup.

What driving in Jeju is actually like

  • Drive on the right. Coastal roads and the main ring roads are easy; village lanes are narrow single-track, so drive slowly and expect to reverse for oncoming cars.
  • Navigation: use Naver Map or Kakao Map or the in-car navigation (most rentals have Korean navigation with an English option). Google Maps works poorly for driving in Korea.
  • Speed cameras are everywhere and usually announced by your navigation. Fines are the renter's responsibility and are billed afterwards.
  • Weather changes fast: wind, fog on higher roads and rain can change conditions within minutes. In winter, snow and ice can close mountain roads, so ask whether chains are included.
  • Parking: popular sights and cafés have lots, but they fill up on weekends. Never block a village gate or lane.
  • Fuel: check the fuel type at pickup, and refuel before returning.

If you'd rather not drive at all, our car-free 3-day itinerary and bus guide show how far you can get without one.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drive in Korea with only my home licence?
No. You need the licence and a valid IDP, and your rental company will check both.

Can I take a rental car off Jeju on the ferry?
Policies differ by company. Ask your provider before planning it; do not assume you can.

Is it safe for first-time visitors?
Main roads are good. The hard parts are narrow village lanes, unfamiliar signs and winter weather. Leave extra time and avoid driving tired after a long flight.

Do I need a credit card?
Many companies take major international credit cards. Some booking platforms accept other methods, but policies differ, so confirm before you travel.

Rules and rental terms change. If something here is out of date, tell me on the Contact page and I'll update it.

More from Jeju Insider:

Photo my own. Rental requirements summarised from published rental-company guides (Trazy and others) as of 2024–2026; always confirm with your provider.

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