The written test (학과시험, often called the “theory test”) is the first exam you take when getting a Korean driver’s license for the first time. You register in person on a weekday at any driver’s license examination office and answer 40 questions on a computer in 40 minutes. Out of 100 points, you pass with 70 for Class I and 60 for Class II. The fee is KRW 10,000 (KRW 8,000 for a motorcycle driver’s license — 원동기장치자전거, 125 cc or less). Besides Korean, the test is offered in English, Chinese and Vietnamese. (Checked October 2026)
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Questions and time | 40 questions, 40 minutes |
| Format | Multiple choice, taken on a computer (PC) |
| Pass mark | Class I Large, Special, Ordinary: 70+ / Class II Ordinary, Small, motorcycle: 60+ |
| Fee | KRW 10,000 (motorcycle KRW 8,000); the same for a retake |
| Registration | Examination offices, weekdays 09:00–17:00 (no tests 12:00–13:00) |
| Languages | Korean, English, Chinese, Vietnamese |
| Result | Score and pass/fail shown on screen right after the test |
The pass marks are set in Article 50(2) of the Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act. About 95% of the questions cover traffic law and related rules, and 5% cover vehicle checks and maintenance (Enforcement Rule, Article 63).
Step by step
- Pre-test traffic safety education (1 hour) — First-time applicants must watch a one-hour audiovisual session at the examination office before the written test. It is free; bring your ID. You can take it any time before the written test, even the same day. You are exempt if you already hold another class of Korean license or have completed the theory course at a certified driving school (Road Traffic Act, Art. 73(1)).
- Physical check-up — At the office’s check-up room (some offices do not have one) or at a hospital. At an examination office it costs KRW 8,000 for Class I Large/Special and KRW 7,000 for other licenses.
- Register for the written test — Hand in the application form, photos and ID, and pay the fee. Online booking and proxy registration are not available: you register in person and take the test the same day.
- Take the test — Read each question on the assigned computer and tap your answer. If you want a foreign-language version, tell the staff when you register.
- Get your result — Your score and pass/fail appear on the monitor as soon as you finish. You get your application form back stamped “pass” or “fail”. Keep it: you need it for the next tests.
The next steps (skills test and road test) are covered in Getting a Korean driver’s license for the first time.
Question types
KoROAD describes the test only as “multiple choice”. The 40 questions are drawn at random from the published question bank. Besides text-only questions, the bank includes questions based on photos or illustrations and questions based on short videos. The number of answers to pick can differ, so read each question to the end before answering.
KoROAD’s guide pages do not publish how many questions of each type appear or how many points each type is worth. Follow what the test screen shows. The current question bank took effect on March 9, 2026.
Taking the test in a foreign language
- The official languages are Korean, English, Chinese and Vietnamese. Foreign-language versions of the question bank are published for the same March 9, 2026 edition.
- We could not find official information on other languages or on bringing an interpreter. If you need either, contact the examination office or the KoROAD call center (1577-1120, or foreign-language chat on the KakaoTalk channel “한국도로교통공단 고객센터”) before you go.
- There is also a PC test that reads the questions aloud (80 minutes) for people who cannot read, and a sign-language PC test (80 minutes) for Deaf applicants. Ask for it at registration; registration closes at 10:30 for the morning and 16:30 for the afternoon.
Checklist
- ID — for foreign nationals, a residence card (외국인등록증) or a valid passport
- 3 color photos — 3.5 × 4.5 cm, taken within 6 months, upper body, no hat, plain background
- Application form with the physical check-up completed (or health screening results submitted)
- Fee: KRW 10,000 (motorcycle KRW 8,000)
- Traffic safety education completed (first-time applicants)
If you fail, and how long a pass is valid
- Retake: The skills and road tests can be retaken only after 3 days have passed since the fail (Enforcement Decree, Arts. 48(5) and 49(4)), but the law sets no waiting period for the written test. KoROAD’s English guide says you can retake it from the next day; whether a same-day retake is possible is not stated officially, so ask the office. You pay the fee again.
- 1 year from your first attempt: You must pass the written test within one year of first taking it.
- 1 year after passing: You must pass the skills test within one year of passing the written test (Enforcement Decree, Article 50(6)). After that, your application is cancelled and you start again from the written test, although you do not need to repeat the safety education.
How to study
- Look at the official question bank — KoROAD offers free downloads on its Korean question bank board and its foreign-language board (English, Chinese, Vietnamese).
- Learn the rules, not just the answers — The real test comes from that bank, but if you understand signals, right of way, speed limits and safe distance, unfamiliar wording will not trip you up.
- Practice under test conditions — The practice questions on this site are based on the Road Traffic Act, with explanations in English, Korean, Chinese and Vietnamese. Questions you miss are saved in Wrong answers so you can try them again.
When you feel ready, take a mock exam: 40 questions against the clock.
FAQ
What score do I need to pass the Korean written driving test?
Out of 100, Class I (Large, Special, Ordinary) needs 70 or more and Class II (Ordinary, Small, motorcycle) needs 60 or more. See Korean license types to choose a class.
Can I take the test in English or Chinese?
Yes. English, Chinese and Vietnamese are available. For other languages there is no official information, so ask the examination office first.
Do I need to book in advance?
No. You go to the examination office on a weekday, register in person and take the test the same day. Online booking and proxy registration are not available.
Do I need the written test to exchange a foreign license?
It depends on the country that issued your license. Check Exchanging a foreign driver’s license.
How long is a written test pass valid?
You must pass the skills test within one year of passing the written test. Otherwise you start over from the written test.