Does National require an IDP in South Korea?

The minimum age to rent is typically 21 (18 in Michigan and New York, as required by state law); renters aged 21-24 pay a "Youthful Surcharge" of approximately $25 per day (varies by location, lower in some states such as $5/day in New York) and may be restricted to certain car classes.

A major credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex) in the primary renter's name with sufficient available credit is required; National generally does not accept debit cards, and renters without a ticketed return travel itinerary must provide a hold/deposit typically between $300 and $400 depending on location and vehicle class.

The renter's spouse or domestic partner who meets the same age and licence requirements drives free; other additional authorized drivers cost about $15 per day (typically $5/day in New York), and must be at least 21 with a valid licence. National requires a valid, unexpired full driver's licence held by the renter; for under-25 drivers some locations require the licence to have been held for at least one year, though National does not publish a uniform minimum tenure across all locations.

Vehicles rented in the U.S. or Canada are prohibited from being driven into Mexico; U.S.-Canada cross-border travel is generally permitted but one-way US/Canada drop-offs are limited to participating locations, and rentals originating in certain Mexican cities (e.g. Tijuana, Mexicali, Hermosillo, Monterrey, Saltillo) may cross into the U.S. after purchasing an extension of liability protection (about $10 USD/day).

National states that an International Driving Permit (IDP) is commonly requested in select countries and is generally recommended when travelling abroad; specifically, overseas travelers whose licence uses a non-Roman alphabet may need to present an IDP alongside their home-country licence.

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.