Hello friends! Today I brought some amazing tips that I am so excited to tell you about.
Many global friends who visit my tattoo studio always dream of traveling to the beautiful Jeju Island.
So, Andy from Hongdae perfectly summarized the absolute essential tips you shouldn’t miss when making a Jeju foreigner car rental reservation.
There are quite a few things you need to prepare in advance to happily drive along the beautiful coastal roads.
From now on, I will explain it perfectly, easily, and fun enough for a middle schooler to understand, so please stay focused until the end!
Table of Contents
- Preparing the big 3 most important documents
- Installing Korea-specific navigation instead of Google Maps
- Choosing full coverage insurance for a peaceful trip
- How to fully utilize EVs during Jeju foreigner car rental reservation
- Korea’s unique driving culture and speed camera warnings
1. Preparing the big 3 most important documents
To grab the steering wheel in Jeju, there are exactly three documents you must show at the rental car counter.
The first is your International Driving Permit (IDP), the second is your original driver’s license from your home country, and the last is your passport.
Many friends make the mistake of leaving their home country license at home, thinking they only need to bring the International Driving Permit.
However, according to Korean regulations, they must check both the international permit and the physical license of that country together, so never forget it.
Also, remember that usually, you must be at least 21 years old and have more than 1 year of driving experience to rent a vehicle!
2. Installing Korea-specific navigation instead of Google Maps
This is something I really emphasize every time, but Google Maps doesn’t work perfectly for walking or driving directions in Korea.
Instead, downloading the Naver Map or Kakao T apps that Koreans use every day in advance is a really smart way.
Fortunately, Naver Map supports English services very well, so even if you search for the destination name in English, it finds it perfectly.
The built-in navigation in the rental car might only be in Korean and could panic you, so please install the app on your phone and use it on the car mount.
3. Choosing full coverage insurance for a peaceful trip
Isn’t it a real headache if you get into an accident while traveling? That’s why insurance is an area where you really shouldn’t try to save money.
The most confusing part of the Jeju foreigner car rental reservation process is the types of insurance, but based on my standard, the most recommended is the ‘Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW)’.
Usually, with general collision damage waiver, you have to pay a certain amount (deductible) if an accident occurs, but full coverage has almost no such burden.
When driving an unfamiliar rental car on a new road, you might slightly scratch a parking lot wall, so be sure to choose the highest level of insurance.
4. How to fully utilize EVs (Electric Vehicles)
Jeju Island is one of the fantastic places with the best electric vehicle infrastructure in the world.
It’s quieter than internal combustion engine cars, protects the environment, and allows you to travel with much cheaper rental and maintenance costs.
When renting the car, you must ask the staff for an ‘EV charging card’ and take it with you.
If you use that card, you can charge very easily just by tagging the card at the charging station without a complicated payment process. Isn’t it really amazing?
5. Korea’s unique driving culture and speed camera warnings
One of the most surprising things when driving on Korean roads will probably be the numerous speed cameras hidden all over the roads.
The speed limits on the outer roads of Jeju are strictly managed, usually between 50km/h and 70km/h.
This is exactly the reason why I told you to definitely use Naver Map earlier. Korean navigation warns you in advance with an alarm before a camera appears.
Also, when making a right turn at an intersection, please keep in mind the law that if the traffic light ahead is red, you must completely stop the car and then start slowly.
Essential Checklist Summary Table for Foreigner Car Rental
| Check Item | Verification Details |
| 3 Essential Documents | IDP, Original home country license, Valid passport |
| Navigation Setup | Install English version of Naver Map or Kakao T app before departure |
| Insurance Verification | Whether it includes Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW) with no deductible |
| When Renting EV | Check rental of payment charging card from the rental car company |
If you plan to come up to Seoul after enjoying the wonderful sea of Jeju, how about leaving a meaningful tattoo at my studio for a perfect finish to your trip? I will work on it very delicately!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q.Do I only need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Jeju?
No. You must have all three: IDP, original home country license, and passport.
Q.Is it possible to drive in Jeju with only Google Maps?
Usually, the route guidance can be inaccurate, so using Naver Map or Kakao Map is strongly recommended.
Q.Can I rent even if my driving experience is short?
Most rental car companies require you to be over 21 years old and have more than 1 year of driving experience.
Q.Isn’t EV charging complicated?
It is finished very easily with just one tag if you use the dedicated charging card provided by the rental car.
Today’s Core Summary
To enjoy a perfect driving trip in Jeju, you must first start by putting the 3 essential documents in your bag: International Driving Permit, home country license, and passport.
And if you download Naver Map for smart route guidance and choose full coverage insurance to travel with peace of mind, your Jeju trip will unconditionally be successful!
Now, before getting on the plane, shall we quickly open the smartphone and download the Naver Map app first?