Renewing your Dutch driving licence in South Korea
If you live in South Korea and your Dutch driving licence has expired (or has almost expired), you can renew it or exchange it for a Korean licence.
Renewing your Dutch driving licence
You can renew your driving licence via the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW), even if it has already expired. Follow the steps to apply for a new driving licence.
Step 4: Submit your documents
Send all the documents needed for your application to the RDW:
RDW, Unit Rijbewijzen
Postbus 9000
9640 HA Veendam
Nederland
Step 5: Pay the fee
Pay the fee for your application for a new driving licence. Scroll to ‘Kosten’ on the RDW's website to find out what the fee is and how to pay it.
After your payment has been assessed, the RDW will process your application within 10 working days.
Does RDW approve your application? Then it will take 5 working days before you receive your new driving licence at your correspondence address in the Netherlands.
If your application is rejected you will receive a letter explaining why.
Applying for a South Korean driving licence
If you have an Alien Registration Card and will be living in South Korea for a longer period, it may be easier to exchange your Dutch driving licence for a Korean one. You can do this at the Road Traffic Authority (koROAD) or at one of the Driver's Licence Examination Offices in South Korea. Your Dutch driving licence will be kept by koROAD.
What do I need?
If you want to apply for a South Korean driving licence, you will need a certificate of authenticity (echtheidsverklaring) from the RDW. It shows whether your driving licence is listed in the Central Driving Licences Register. Visit the RDW website for information on how to apply for a certificate of authenticity. There is a fee for this service. Once you have paid you will receive the certificate of authenticity by post at your address.
The certificate is in English. You must also have the certificate legalised with an apostille. Legalising documents allows you to use them in another country.
Visit the koROAD website for information (in English and Korean) on the documents you will need if you wish to exchange your Dutch driving licence.
Moving back to the Netherlands
If you are moving back to the Netherlands temporarily you can ask koROAD to return your Dutch driving licence for a limited period. You will need to submit your travel itinerary. If you are moving back to the Netherlands permanently koROAD can return your Dutch driving licence in exchange for your Korean one.