Can you drive in Hawaii with a South Korean license?
Can you drive in Hawaii with a South Korean license? See IDP and translation rules, plus the steps for visitors and new residents.
Yes, with conditionsas a visitor, for up to 12 months
- Visitingup to 12 months on your current licence
- Moving here12 months to switch to a local licence
- IDPdepends on your stay, details below
What we verified for this route
Visitor driving rule
Verified July 11, 2026 by Andrei ZakhareuskiLikely yes or conditional for visitors in Hawaii, but this route needs reviewer confirmation against the official source.
Destination-level research notes for reviewer: Countries that ratified the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic may use their foreign national driver's license with a valid passport to legally drive in Hawaii. The driver must be at least 18 and may use the foreign driver's license no longer than one year after the date of entry into the United States. Honolulu strongly recommends that foreign licensed drivers possess an International Driving Permit to avoid language barriers with law enforcement. A person using an international driver's license/permit must also have the foreign license and a valid passport showing admission date. The page says the license is valid for one year upon U.S. entry and the country must be listed under the 1949 Geneva Convention / Inter-American Convention framework. Foreign nationals applying for a type 3 instruction permit must provide original proof of identity, legal presence, Social Security number if issued or an ineligibility verification letter, and name-change documents if applicable. All documents for a foreign-national instruction permit must be translated into English. Foreign nationals, including those with valid foreign licenses, must successfully complete the general knowledge test and eye test before being issued a temporary type 3 permit, unless they qualify for a reciprocal transfer. Valid out-of-state license transfers are allowed for U.S. states, U.S. territories, and Canada. These transfers require identity, legal presence, date of birth, two proofs of principal Hawaii residence, vision testing, and surrender of the valid out-of-state license. Expired or lost out-of-state licenses require written and road tests.
International Driving Permit
Verified July 11, 2026 by Andrei ZakhareuskiIDP or international-permit handling is mentioned for Hawaii; confirm whether it is required, recommended, or only a translation aid.
Destination-level research notes for reviewer: Countries that ratified the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic may use their foreign national driver's license with a valid passport to legally drive in Hawaii. The driver must be at least 18 and may use the foreign driver's license no longer than one year after the date of entry into the United States. Honolulu strongly recommends that foreign licensed drivers possess an International Driving Permit to avoid language barriers with law enforcement. A person using an international driver's license/permit must also have the foreign license and a valid passport showing admission date. The page says the license is valid for one year upon U.S. entry and the country must be listed under the 1949 Geneva Convention / Inter-American Convention framework. Foreign nationals applying for a type 3 instruction permit must provide original proof of identity, legal presence, Social Security number if issued or an ineligibility verification letter, and name-change documents if applicable. All documents for a foreign-national instruction permit must be translated into English. Foreign nationals, including those with valid foreign licenses, must successfully complete the general knowledge test and eye test before being issued a temporary type 3 permit, unless they qualify for a reciprocal transfer. Valid out-of-state license transfers are allowed for U.S. states, U.S. territories, and Canada. These transfers require identity, legal presence, date of birth, two proofs of principal Hawaii residence, vision testing, and surrender of the valid out-of-state license. Expired or lost out-of-state licenses require written and road tests.
New resident deadline
Verified July 11, 2026 by Andrei ZakhareuskiNew residents appear to have about 365 days before needing a local licence in Hawaii; verify the exact wording.
Destination-level research notes for reviewer: Countries that ratified the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic may use their foreign national driver's license with a valid passport to legally drive in Hawaii. The driver must be at least 18 and may use the foreign driver's license no longer than one year after the date of entry into the United States. Honolulu strongly recommends that foreign licensed drivers possess an International Driving Permit to avoid language barriers with law enforcement. A person using an international driver's license/permit must also have the foreign license and a valid passport showing admission date. The page says the license is valid for one year upon U.S. entry and the country must be listed under the 1949 Geneva Convention / Inter-American Convention framework. Foreign nationals applying for a type 3 instruction permit must provide original proof of identity, legal presence, Social Security number if issued or an ineligibility verification letter, and name-change documents if applicable. All documents for a foreign-national instruction permit must be translated into English. Foreign nationals, including those with valid foreign licenses, must successfully complete the general knowledge test and eye test before being issued a temporary type 3 permit, unless they qualify for a reciprocal transfer. Valid out-of-state license transfers are allowed for U.S. states, U.S. territories, and Canada. These transfers require identity, legal presence, date of birth, two proofs of principal Hawaii residence, vision testing, and surrender of the valid out-of-state license. Expired or lost out-of-state licenses require written and road tests.
License exchange
Verified July 11, 2026 by Andrei ZakhareuskiExchange or transfer may be possible in Hawaii, depending on issuing country and licence class. Verify this origin specifically.
Destination-level research notes for reviewer: Countries that ratified the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic may use their foreign national driver's license with a valid passport to legally drive in Hawaii. The driver must be at least 18 and may use the foreign driver's license no longer than one year after the date of entry into the United States. Honolulu strongly recommends that foreign licensed drivers possess an International Driving Permit to avoid language barriers with law enforcement. A person using an international driver's license/permit must also have the foreign license and a valid passport showing admission date. The page says the license is valid for one year upon U.S. entry and the country must be listed under the 1949 Geneva Convention / Inter-American Convention framework. Foreign nationals applying for a type 3 instruction permit must provide original proof of identity, legal presence, Social Security number if issued or an ineligibility verification letter, and name-change documents if applicable. All documents for a foreign-national instruction permit must be translated into English. Foreign nationals, including those with valid foreign licenses, must successfully complete the general knowledge test and eye test before being issued a temporary type 3 permit, unless they qualify for a reciprocal transfer. Valid out-of-state license transfers are allowed for U.S. states, U.S. territories, and Canada. These transfers require identity, legal presence, date of birth, two proofs of principal Hawaii residence, vision testing, and surrender of the valid out-of-state license. Expired or lost out-of-state licenses require written and road tests.
Testing requirements
Verified July 11, 2026 by Andrei ZakhareuskiTesting depends on exchange eligibility in Hawaii. Verify written/road/vision requirements for this origin.
Destination-level research notes for reviewer: Countries that ratified the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic may use their foreign national driver's license with a valid passport to legally drive in Hawaii. The driver must be at least 18 and may use the foreign driver's license no longer than one year after the date of entry into the United States. Honolulu strongly recommends that foreign licensed drivers possess an International Driving Permit to avoid language barriers with law enforcement. A person using an international driver's license/permit must also have the foreign license and a valid passport showing admission date. The page says the license is valid for one year upon U.S. entry and the country must be listed under the 1949 Geneva Convention / Inter-American Convention framework. Foreign nationals applying for a type 3 instruction permit must provide original proof of identity, legal presence, Social Security number if issued or an ineligibility verification letter, and name-change documents if applicable. All documents for a foreign-national instruction permit must be translated into English. Foreign nationals, including those with valid foreign licenses, must successfully complete the general knowledge test and eye test before being issued a temporary type 3 permit, unless they qualify for a reciprocal transfer. Valid out-of-state license transfers are allowed for U.S. states, U.S. territories, and Canada. These transfers require identity, legal presence, date of birth, two proofs of principal Hawaii residence, vision testing, and surrender of the valid out-of-state license. Expired or lost out-of-state licenses require written and road tests.
Translation requirements
Verified July 11, 2026 by Andrei ZakhareuskiTranslation handling is mentioned for Hawaii. Verify whether this origin licence needs a certified translation or IDP.
Destination-level research notes for reviewer: Countries that ratified the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic may use their foreign national driver's license with a valid passport to legally drive in Hawaii. The driver must be at least 18 and may use the foreign driver's license no longer than one year after the date of entry into the United States. Honolulu strongly recommends that foreign licensed drivers possess an International Driving Permit to avoid language barriers with law enforcement. A person using an international driver's license/permit must also have the foreign license and a valid passport showing admission date. The page says the license is valid for one year upon U.S. entry and the country must be listed under the 1949 Geneva Convention / Inter-American Convention framework. Foreign nationals applying for a type 3 instruction permit must provide original proof of identity, legal presence, Social Security number if issued or an ineligibility verification letter, and name-change documents if applicable. All documents for a foreign-national instruction permit must be translated into English. Foreign nationals, including those with valid foreign licenses, must successfully complete the general knowledge test and eye test before being issued a temporary type 3 permit, unless they qualify for a reciprocal transfer. Valid out-of-state license transfers are allowed for U.S. states, U.S. territories, and Canada. These transfers require identity, legal presence, date of birth, two proofs of principal Hawaii residence, vision testing, and surrender of the valid out-of-state license. Expired or lost out-of-state licenses require written and road tests.
Documents to bring
Verified July 11, 2026 by Andrei ZakhareuskiDocuments are required for a local licence in Hawaii; verify the exact list for this origin and status.
Destination-level research notes for reviewer: Countries that ratified the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic may use their foreign national driver's license with a valid passport to legally drive in Hawaii. The driver must be at least 18 and may use the foreign driver's license no longer than one year after the date of entry into the United States. Honolulu strongly recommends that foreign licensed drivers possess an International Driving Permit to avoid language barriers with law enforcement. A person using an international driver's license/permit must also have the foreign license and a valid passport showing admission date. The page says the license is valid for one year upon U.S. entry and the country must be listed under the 1949 Geneva Convention / Inter-American Convention framework. Foreign nationals applying for a type 3 instruction permit must provide original proof of identity, legal presence, Social Security number if issued or an ineligibility verification letter, and name-change documents if applicable. All documents for a foreign-national instruction permit must be translated into English. Foreign nationals, including those with valid foreign licenses, must successfully complete the general knowledge test and eye test before being issued a temporary type 3 permit, unless they qualify for a reciprocal transfer. Valid out-of-state license transfers are allowed for U.S. states, U.S. territories, and Canada. These transfers require identity, legal presence, date of birth, two proofs of principal Hawaii residence, vision testing, and surrender of the valid out-of-state license. Expired or lost out-of-state licenses require written and road tests.