Does Enterprise require an IDP in South Korea?
Enterprise in South Korea: the policy in plain terms
Asks for a licence translation alongside your home licence in many countries across Europe, Asia and South America. The world's largest car-rental brand by fleet size.
South Korea commonly asks foreign drivers for an IDP issued in their home country alongside their national licence.
In South Korea specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in South Korea ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Enterprise will typically ask for it at the counter. 1949 Geneva IDP requested at all rental desks.
Enterprise runs a global network; at its South Korea desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format alongside the original licence. South Korea drives on the right, uses the KRW, and sets a minimum driving age of 18, so an IDP is the document that removes any doubt at the counter.
What to bring to the Enterprise counter in South Korea
- Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
- Your International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format.
- Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
- Local payment for the KRW deposit; South Korea drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in South Korea Enterprise renters should know
- Extensive speed and red-light camera network.
- 0.03% alcohol limit; licence revoked above 0.08%.
- Bus lanes restricted during set hours.
- Carry passport, IDP and home licence.
Enterprise's rental terms that affect your IDP booking
Enterprise's minimum rental age is 21 in most of the U.S. (18 in Michigan and New York, and 18 for U.S. government employees on official orders); renters aged 21-24 pay a "Young Renter Fee" that typically averages around $25/day but varies by location (e.g., 21-24 is $15.75/day in Michigan and $30.75/day in New York, with 18-20 fees of $36.50 and $64.75/day respectively).
The contract holder must present their own credit card in their name with sufficient available credit; deposits typically run between $200 and $850 depending on location and vehicle class (airport holds are typically about 120% of the rental). Debit cards bearing a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover logo may be accepted at some locations, but at airports only with a ticketed return-travel itinerary, and prepaid cards are not accepted.
Each additional authorized driver is typically charged about $15.00 per day, but a renter's spouse or domestic partner who meets the same age and licence requirements is added at no charge. Enterprise requires each renter and additional driver to hold a valid, unexpired driver's licence; it does not publish a fixed minimum holding period in the U.S., though young-renter (under-25) restrictions and surcharges apply instead.
Taking a U.S.-rented vehicle across the Mexican or Canadian border requires advance approval; renters must contact the renting branch or call center for the correct procedure and any required insurance, and cross-border travel is restricted or prohibited at many locations. One-way rentals are offered but availability and drop-off fees vary by branch.
For renters under 25, Enterprise states it does not accept an International Driver's Permit as identification; a valid photo driver's licence is required. Foreign renters generally need their home-country licence (an IDP is recommended as a translation supplement but is not a stand-alone substitute for the licence).
Once you collect the keys in South Korea
Expressways use the Hi-Pass electronic system; if your rental has a Hi-Pass transponder use the blue Hi-Pass lanes, otherwise take the cash/card hybrid lanes and never enter a Hi-Pass-only lane. A Seoul-Busan trip costs roughly 20,000-25,000 KRW and tolls are payable by cash, card or T-money.
Street parking is scarce and metered; pay at the meter or machine and reverse-parking is the local norm in narrow bays. Cities use paid public lots and underground mall garages (often 1,000-3,000 KRW per 30 min), and illegally parked cars in central Seoul are ticketed or towed.
Speeding fines commonly run 30,000-120,000+ KRW (school zones, 30 km/h, double fines from 2026), phone-without-handsfree and seatbelt are fined, and drink-driving at 0.03% BAC or above is severely punished. Camera fines are billed to the renter's card with an admin fee; some on-the-spot fines apply at stops.
Call 112 for police and 119 for ambulance/fire; for any injury or insurance claim file a police report and do not leave the scene. Photograph vehicle positions before moving, and avoid privately settling with the other party as fault is determined for insurance.
Full driving guide for South Korea →