Hi there.
Let’s head out together again today—
travel blogger Sseozhere.
Recently on the Korean TV show Home Alone,
Jun Hyun-moo was shown traveling in Almaty, Kazakhstan,
and renting a car during the trip.
After the episode aired, the international driving permitalone
became the center of a debate over whether that was enough to drive legally there.
The production team later said they had not fully checked local regulations
and shared a statement after reviewing the issue.
So today, using the Kazakhstan case as an example,
I’m breaking down what you really need to know
before renting a car and driving abroad.
1. Jun Hyun-moo’s Kazakhstan rental car: what was the issue?
2. Driving abroad: the rules vary by country
3. International driving permit vs. English driver’s license
4. What to check before renting a car overseas
1. Jun Hyun-moo’s Kazakhstan rental car: what was the issue?
In the broadcast, Jun Hyun-moo
showed his passport and international driving permit,
then rented a car and drove.
But Kazakhstanis
not a country where you can legally drive
with only an international driving permit issued in South Korea.
Even for short-term visitors,
you may need your original Korean driver’s license
plus locally recognized notarized documents and
other country-specific requirements.
In other words, just because a rental car company hands over the keys
does not automatically mean
you meet the legal requirements to drive under local law.
2. Driving abroad: the rules vary by country
Put simply, driving overseas usually falls into
countries where a Korean international driving permit works,
countries where the international driving permit is accepted
but you still need an extra local step,
and countries where the Korean international driving permit is not recognized at all.
Thinking of it in these three categories makes things much easier.
Countries where a Korean international driving permit works
This means an international driving permit issued in South Korea
is officially recognized locally.
In those cases, you generally just need three things:
your original Korean driver’s license + international driving permit
+ passport.
International driving permit
+ countries that require an extra local step
These countries do recognize the Korean international driving permit,
but after arrival you may still need a separate local permit
or another certification process.
Countries where the Korean international driving permit
is not recognized at all
In these places, a South Korean international driving permit
does not let you drive right away,
and you must follow that country’s separate process, such as a local license, temporary permit, translation, or notarization.
That depends on the rules of each destination.
|
Category |
Example countries |
What to prepare |
|
Countries where you can drive with an international driving permit |
Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, France, Italy, and more |
Korean driver’s license + international driving permit + passport |
|
International driving permit + extra local permit required countries |
Sri Lanka, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, and more |
International driving permit + extra steps such as a local Recognition Permit or Visitor’s Licence |
|
Countries that do not recognize the Korean international driving permit |
Kazakhstan, mainland China, Mongolia, and more |
Separate country-specific procedures such as a local license, temporary permit, translation, or notarization |
Kazakhstan, which is at the center of this recent controversy,
is not in the second category but falls into the third.That’s the key point.
In other words, it’s not a country that simply asks for extra paperwork on top of an IDP—
it’s a country that does not recognize the permit itself.
That’s why you need to prepare separate procedures in advance.
If you’re planning to rent a car and drive overseas,
the first thing to check is which of these three categories your destination falls into.
That should always come first.
3. International driving permit vs. English driver’s license
An international driving permit (IDP)is
a separate document issued specifically for driving abroad.
You can apply at a driver’s license test center, police station,
some airport issuance centers, or online,
and you’ll usually need your driver’s license, passport or a copy of your passport,
plus a passport-style photo.
The validity period is usually one yearfrom the date of issue.
On the other hand, an English driver’s licenseis
a Korean driver’s license with
your license information printed in English on the back.
In countries that recognize the English driver’s license,
you may be able to use it without a separate international driving permit,
but it is not accepted everywhere.
So when deciding which one you need,
the most accurate move is to check the latest rules
for your destination before departure.
4. What to check before renting a car overseas
If you plan to use a rental car abroad,
there are a few things just as important as your license.
|
CHECK! Whether your international driving permit or English driver’s license is recognized Whether translation, notarization, or a local permit is required Minimum driver age and required driving experience Rental car insurance and deductible Deposit, additional driver fees, and one-way drop-off charges Take photos and video of any scratches before picking up the car |
Da Nang private rental car, 4-seater, 7-seater, 16-seater, fuel included
PeakTime: PEAKTIME
naver.me
[Okinawa Rental Car] New S-Class with Naha Airport pickup/drop-off included (4-seater, 5-seater, 7-seater, 8-seater)
Nha Trang Santiago Tour
naver.me
Most importantly, remember that legal driving eligibility in that country
and a rental company’s own booking requirements are two completely separate things.
A romantic road trip with a rental car overseas sounds amazing,
but there’s usually more to check in advance than people expect.
Don’t overlook these details,
and I hope you have a safe and smooth trip!
Thanks for reading.
Every moment of traveling together
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