Eye Exam for Driving Licence in Korea: Requirements for Expats
Vision standards, colour testing and where to get your eye exam in Seoul before converting or renewing a Korean driving licence
Quick Answer
To get or convert a driving licence in Korea you must pass a basic eye exam: for a Class 2 licence (ordinary cars) you need binocular vision of 0.5 or better (glasses or contacts allowed), and for a Class 1 licence you need 0.8 binocular and at least 0.5 in each eye. You can take the eye exam for your driving licence in Korea at the licence examination centre or at a hospital or clinic that issues a medical certificate. Nunehim Eye Center in Guro offers English-speaking eye exams for expats from Yeongdeungpo, Gasan and Gwanak.
Q. What does the eye exam for a driving licence in Korea involve?
The eye exam for a driving licence in Korea is part of the “aptitude test” (적성검사) required when you first obtain a licence, convert a foreign licence, or renew. For most expats it is simple: a visual acuity chart test for each eye and both eyes together, and — for some licence classes — a colour discrimination check. Hearing and basic physical fitness are assessed on the same medical form.
Visual acuity in Korea is recorded in decimal notation. A result of 1.0 roughly equals 20/20 (6/6), 0.8 is about 20/25, and 0.5 is about 20/40. Corrected vision counts, so if you pass with your glasses or contact lenses, your licence will simply note that corrective lenses are required while driving.
Many expats in Guro, Gasan and Yeongdeungpo are surprised that they fail the chart only because their glasses prescription is out of date. A quick refraction before your appointment at the licence centre can save a second trip.
Q. What are the vision requirements by licence class in Korea?
- Class 2 (ordinary / small cars): binocular acuity of 0.5 or better; if one eye is blind, the other eye must reach 0.6 or better
- Class 1 (large vehicles, commercial): binocular 0.8 or better and each eye 0.5 or better
- Colour vision: ability to distinguish red, green and yellow is checked for Class 1 large and special licences
- Corrective lenses are permitted — bring the glasses or contacts you actually drive with
- Visual field problems (e.g. advanced glaucoma) may require additional assessment
Driving and vision in Korea — key numbers
▸ Korea accepts licence exchange from well over 100 countries and regions, so most expats need only an aptitude (vision) test and paperwork — no road test.
▸ Ordinary Class 2 licences are renewed about every 10 years, with shorter aptitude-test intervals for older drivers (5 years from 65 and 3 years from 75).
▸ Myopia affects the large majority of young Korean adults, so corrected-vision licence conditions are extremely common.
▸ Glaucoma affects around 3–4% of Koreans over 40 — and early visual-field loss is usually unnoticed by the driver.
Q. Where can expats in Seoul get the eye exam for a driving licence?
You have two options. Many driver’s licence examination centres (운전면허시험장) run an on-site medical check room where a quick acuity test is done on the day. Alternatively, you can bring a medical certificate for driving licence purposes (운전면허용 신체검사서) issued by a hospital or clinic, or in some cases use recent National Health Screening results. The Seoul Southern (Gangseo) examination centre is the closest for residents of Guro, Yeongdeungpo and Gasan.
At Nunehim Eye Center we measure your uncorrected and corrected acuity, update your spectacle prescription if needed, and check colour vision and eye health. Explaining results in English is especially useful for expats in Gwanak and Gasan who want to understand exactly why a result is borderline.
Q. What if I fail the driving licence eye test in Korea?
Most failures are fixable. The commonest causes are an outdated glasses prescription, uncorrected astigmatism, dry eye blurring the chart, or early cataract. We identify the cause and, where possible, correct it — new glasses, contact lenses, dry eye treatment or cataract surgery referral.
Some expats choose TransPRK or 2-Day LASEK to drive without glasses. After refractive surgery your licence condition can be updated once your vision is stable. Note that Nunehim does not offer SMILE LASIK; we specialise in surface procedures.
Q. When should I see a doctor in Seoul?
Book a full eye exam — not just the chart test — if you notice:
- Glare or haloes from headlights at night
- Difficulty reading road signs until you are close
- Missing cars or pedestrians coming from the side
- Sudden blur, double vision, or a shadow in one eye
- Colours of traffic lights looking faded or hard to distinguish
Q. What is the step-by-step process for expats?
1 · Prepare
Check your country’s exchange status, get your foreign licence apostilled or embassy-certified if required, and bring your ARC, passport and photos.
2 · Eye exam
Pass the vision test at the licence centre or bring a medical certificate from a clinic. Wear the glasses or contacts you drive with.
3 · Issue
Submit documents at the examination centre. For reciprocal countries your Korean licence is usually issued the same day.
“Check your eyes before you check in at the licence centre.”
Every month I see expats from Gasan and Yeongdeungpo who failed the chart simply because their glasses were years out of date. A ten-minute refraction usually solves it — and it is a good chance to screen for glaucoma and other silent conditions that matter far more for safe driving than the licence itself.
— Dr. Daniel Baik, board-certified ophthalmologist, Nunehim Eye Center
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I wear glasses or contact lenses for the Korean driving licence eye test?
Yes. Corrected vision is accepted. Your licence will be marked as requiring corrective lenses, and you must wear them when driving.
Q. Do I need an eye exam to convert my foreign driving licence in Korea?
Yes. Almost all licence exchanges require the aptitude test, which includes a vision check, even when no written or road test is needed.
Q. Is colour blindness a problem for a Korean driving licence?
Red–green–yellow discrimination is checked for Class 1 large and special licences. For an ordinary Class 2 licence, colour deficiency alone generally does not prevent licensing, but confirm the current rule at the examination centre.
Q. What if I only have vision in one eye?
For a Class 2 licence, the seeing eye generally needs 0.6 or better. Additional assessment may be required, and Class 1 is not possible without adequate vision in each eye.
Q. How long is a medical certificate for a driving licence valid?
A driving licence medical certificate is generally accepted if issued within the last 2 years, but requirements change — check with KoROAD before your appointment.
Q. Can I drive after TransPRK or LASEK?
Most patients can drive once their vision is stable and they meet the legal standard, typically within 1–2 weeks after surface laser. We confirm this at your follow-up visit in Guro.
Q. Do you offer the exam in English near Guro, Gwanak and Yeongdeungpo?
Yes. Dr. Daniel Baik provides eye exams and explanations in both English and Korean at Nunehim Eye Center in Guro-gu.
Book a Consultation
Need an eye exam for your driving licence in Korea? Get an English-speaking vision check in Guro — easy to reach from Gasan, Gwanak and Yeongdeungpo.
Or visit nunehim.com
📍 Visit Nunehim Eye Center — Guro, Seoul
Convenient access from Guro, Gasan, Gwanak, Yeongdeungpo & Dongjak. Near Guro Digital Complex Station (Line 2).
Address
551 Siheung-daero, Guro-gu, Seoul
nunehim.com
Hours
Mon–Fri 09:00–18:30 (lunch 13:00–14:00)
Sat 09:00–14:00
Languages
Korean & English consultations
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