{
  "id": 17747566,
  "title": "Overseas Koreans can renew Class 1 driver's licenses at diplomatic missions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/overseas-koreans-can-renew-class-1-drivers-licenses-at-diplomatic",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-02T05:12:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/law-crime/20261102/overseas-koreans-can-renew-class-1-drivers-licenses-at-diplomatic-missions"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Starting Monday, overseas Koreans can renew their Class 1 driver's licenses at diplomatic missions across the globe. This new service will also see the issuance of international driving permits, according to the government. The Overseas Koreans Agency, the Korean National Police Agency, and the Korea Road Traffic Authority (KoROAD) are responsible for implementing this change, which begins at 188 diplomatic missions.\n\nIn Korea, there are two types of driver's licenses. Class 1 permits its holder to operate larger vehicles, including trucks up to 12 tons in weight. Conversely, Class 2 licenses are primarily for passenger cars. Diplomatic missions have been handling driver's license paperwork since 2013. However, they were previously limited to renewing Class 2 licenses and reissuing lost or damaged ones, as the Class 1 renewal process required an aptitude test that included an eye exam.\n\nUnder the new system, applicants can now have their Class 1 licenses renewed in Korea, provided they have a domestic health checkup or physical exam on record from the past two years. Once the license is renewed domestically, it is sent to the relevant diplomatic mission for the applicant to pick up. Those without a recent health checkup or physical exam will not be able to obtain a license through this new process.",
  "summary": "Koreans living abroad will no longer need to fly back to Korea to update their driving credentials, as overseas embassies and consulates begin processing Class 1 driver’s license renewals and issuing international driving permits, the government said Monday. The service begins Monday at 188 diplomatic missions, according to the Overseas Koreans Agency, the Korean National Police Agency and the…",
  "key_points": [
    "Overseas Koreans can now renew Class 1 licenses at diplomatic missions.",
    "Service includes issuance of international driving permits.",
    "Implemented by Overseas Koreans Agency, Police Agency, and KoROAD."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Expanding license renewal services to diplomatic missions removes a major bureaucratic barrier for overseas Koreans who need to operate larger vehicles without returning to South Korea for aptitude tests.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}