Eligibility
Who Can Apply
A mobile driver’s license can be issued to anyone who already has a driver’s license or has newly obtained one. Foreign residents in Korea who have an Alien Registration Card are also eligible. However, the applicant must use a smartphone registered under their own name and must be subscribed to a mobile communication service that allows identity verification.
Mobile Driver’s License Issuance Methods
IC Driver’s License Issuance
With an IC driver’s license, you can issue a mobile driver’s license by tagging the physical license to the back of your smartphone. An IC driver’s license can be used in the same way as a regular driver’s license, and it has the advantage of allowing reissuance by tagging it again when you change your smartphone.
On-Site QR Issuance
If you do not replace your license with an IC driver’s license, you can visit a driver’s license examination office and issue a mobile driver’s license using the on-site QR method. For on-site QR issuance, you submit an application form at the driver’s license examination office, receive a QR code at the counter, and scan it with the Mobile ID app.
Online Application for an IC Driver’s License
Application Availability
An IC driver’s license can be applied for online. You can apply through the Safe Driving Integrated Civil Service website, and after applying, you must visit the selected driver’s license examination office or police station civil service office to pick it up. In-person applications are also available at driver’s license examination offices and police stations nationwide.
Where to Apply Online
You can apply for an IC driver’s license through the Korea Road Traffic Authority Safe Driving Integrated Civil Service. After moving to the application page below, complete identity verification and submit your application.
Apply for an IC Driver’s License Online
Important Notes for Online Application
When applying online, if the photo already registered is not suitable for a mobile driver’s license, a new photo may be required. In this case, you must submit a passport-standard photo taken within the last six months. One photo may be required for a general application, while two photos may be required for an aptitude test or renewal.
How to Check an IC Driver’s License
Mobile ID Logo
If there is a Mobile ID logo below the photo on your current driver’s license, it is an IC driver’s license. If there is no logo, it is a regular driver’s license, so you need to replace it with an IC driver’s license or use the on-site QR issuance method at a driver’s license examination office.
Required Documents and Fees
Application Locations
IC driver’s license applications are available at driver’s license examination offices and police stations nationwide. Even if you apply online, pickup is completed at a driver’s license examination office or police station civil service office.
Required Items
You need to bring your driver’s license. If you have lost your driver’s license, you must prepare another form of identification. A mobile driver’s license can only be applied for by the applicant, so proxy applications are not allowed.
Photo Requirements
When applying online, if the registered photo is not suitable for mobile use, a new photo may be required. In this case, you must submit one passport-standard photo sized 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm taken within the last six months. For an aptitude test or renewal, two photos may be required.
Fees
The IC driver’s license fee is 21,000 won for both English and Korean versions when applying for an aptitude test. For renewal, reissuance, or new issuance, the fee is 15,000 won for both English and Korean versions. If you apply only for on-site QR issuance, the fee is 1,000 won. However, if your photo is not suitable for a mobile license and reissuance is required, an additional fee may apply.
How to Register on a Smartphone
Install the App
Once you receive your IC driver’s license, install the Mobile ID app on your smartphone. After opening the app, complete identity verification and go to the mobile driver’s license issuance menu.
Tag the License
After identity verification, tag your IC driver’s license to the back of your smartphone. Since both Android phones and iPhones use NFC, it is important to check whether your device supports NFC. If you use your IC driver’s license together with a transportation card, duplicate recognition may occur, so it is better to keep them separate.
Issuance Completed
Once IC driver’s license tagging and identity verification are completed, your mobile driver’s license will be issued. After that, you can check your driver’s license in the Mobile ID app.
Issuance Conditions and Cases Where Issuance Is Not Available
Issuance Conditions
A mobile driver’s license can be issued to people who have a driver’s license or have newly obtained one, people who have a smartphone registered under their own name, and people who are subscribed to a mobile communication service that allows identity verification.
Cases Where Issuance Is Not Available
Mobile phones registered under a corporate name and anonymous prepaid phones cannot be used for issuance. However, corporate-name mobile phones registered with an authorized corporate representative and named prepaid phones can be used. Among budget phones, issuance is also unavailable if the user subscribed to a tplus SKT old line before August 15, 2023.
Supported Devices
Android
Android smartphones must run Android OS 8.0 or higher and must support biometric authentication and NFC to use a mobile driver’s license.
iPhone
iPhones must be iPhone 8 or later and run iOS 16 or higher. They must also support biometric authentication and NFC.
Unsupported Devices
BlackBerry devices cannot install or use the mobile driver’s license.
Automatically Check Whether Installation Is Available
Check Your Device
If you do not know what type of device you have, it is recommended to automatically check whether installation is available below.
Check Installation Availability
Smartphone Replacement and Reissuance
When Reissuance Is Required
If you change your smartphone, delete the Mobile ID app, change your physical driver’s license, or the three-year validity period of your mobile driver’s license expires, you must go through the issuance process again to continue using it.
Reissuance with an IC Driver’s License
If you have an IC driver’s license, you can install the Mobile ID app on your new smartphone, tag your IC driver’s license, and complete identity verification to issue it again.
Reissuance with On-Site QR
If you previously issued your mobile driver’s license through on-site QR, you must visit a driver’s license examination office again, submit an application form, and receive reissuance through a QR code at the counter.
Restrictions on Simultaneous Use
Device and App Restrictions
A mobile driver’s license cannot be used on two or more mobile communication devices at the same time. It also cannot be used on two or more apps at the same time, such as the Mobile ID app and Samsung Wallet. When changing your smartphone or switching the app you use, you should first check your current usage status and whether reissuance is required.
Essential Checks Before Issuance
What to Check
A mobile driver’s license cannot be registered simply because you have an ID card. Whether issuance is possible depends on whether your license is an IC driver’s license or a regular driver’s license, whether online application is available, whether your photo is suitable, whether your smartphone supports installation, and whether the mobile phone is registered under your own name.
Problems That May Occur If You Do Not Check
If you do not check the fee, photo requirements, available visit locations, smartphone NFC support, and mobile carrier conditions, your application may be rejected or you may need to visit again. In particular, reissuance may be required after changing your smartphone or deleting the app, so failing to check in advance may cost you extra time and money.
Conclusion
A mobile driver’s license can be issued to anyone who has a driver’s license or has newly obtained one using a smartphone registered under their own name. An IC driver’s license can be applied for online and picked up in person, or it can be applied for at a driver’s license examination office or police station. If you have an IC driver’s license, you can issue or reissue the mobile driver’s license by tagging it to your smartphone. If you have a regular driver’s license, you must use the on-site QR issuance method at a driver’s license examination office. However, only the applicant can apply, and issuance availability may vary depending on smartphone specifications, mobile carrier conditions, photo suitability, fees, and visit locations. Therefore, these details must be checked before applying, as failing to do so may result in another visit or additional costs.
FAQ
Can anyone get a mobile driver’s license?
Anyone who has a driver’s license or has newly obtained one can get a mobile driver’s license. Foreign residents in Korea who have an Alien Registration Card are also eligible.
Can I apply for an IC driver’s license online?
Yes, you can apply for an IC driver’s license online. After applying, you must visit a driver’s license examination office or police station civil service office to pick it up.
Can someone else apply for a mobile driver’s license on my behalf?
No. A mobile driver’s license can only be applied for by the applicant. The applicant must apply in person with a driver’s license or identification.
How can I tell the difference between an IC driver’s license and a regular driver’s license?
If there is a Mobile ID logo below the photo on the driver’s license, it is an IC driver’s license. If there is no logo, it is a regular driver’s license.
What do I need to prepare to issue an IC driver’s license?
You need your existing driver’s license. If you have lost your driver’s license, you must prepare another form of identification. If your photo is not suitable for mobile use, a passport-standard photo taken within the last six months may be required.
How much is the IC driver’s license issuance fee?
The fee is 21,000 won for both English and Korean versions when applying for an aptitude test. For renewal, reissuance, or new issuance, the fee is 15,000 won for both English and Korean versions.
Can I issue a mobile driver’s license with a regular driver’s license?
Yes, it is possible. However, unlike an IC driver’s license, it cannot be issued by simply tagging it to a smartphone. You must visit a driver’s license examination office and issue it through the on-site QR method.
Do I need to issue it again if I change my smartphone?
Yes. If you change your smartphone, delete the Mobile ID app, change your physical driver’s license, or the three-year validity period of your mobile driver’s license expires, you must go through the issuance process again.
Can I use a mobile driver’s license on multiple smartphones at the same time?
No. A mobile driver’s license cannot be used on two or more smartphones or two or more apps at the same time.
What smartphones can use a mobile driver’s license?
Android phones must run OS 8.0 or higher and support biometric authentication and NFC. iPhones must be iPhone 8 or later, run iOS 16 or higher, and support biometric authentication and NFC. BlackBerry devices cannot be used.
