For occasional rentals, an International Driving Permit is the simple answer — but there is a time limit people miss.

The rules:

1. An IDP issued in your home country under the Geneva or Vienna convention is valid in Korea for one year from your date of entry. Rental companies accept it with your home licence and passport.

2. After that year it is no longer valid, even if the IDP itself has not expired. This is the part that catches long-stay students — a second year in Korea means you need a Korean licence.

3. Get the IDP before you leave. You cannot obtain one from inside Korea; it must be issued by your own country's authority.

4. Carry all three when renting: IDP, home licence, passport or ARC. Rental desks check.

On converting to a Korean licence: many countries have exchange agreements with Korea, and for those the process is straightforward — an apostilled or embassy-verified copy of your home licence, a translation, a basic medical check at the licence centre, a photo, and a fee. Usually one visit to a driver's licence agency, no driving test. Sweden is among the countries with an exchange arrangement, though the exact requirements are set by agreement and change, so confirm at the licence centre before assuming.

One practical note if you plan to rent: most rental cars in Korea are automatic, tolls are handled by an in-car transponder, and Korean drivers are assertive in cities. The roads themselves are excellent and long-distance driving is easy. Jeju is the classic student road trip and the rental market there is competitive.

And the obvious alternative: KTX and intercity buses cover almost everywhere cheaply and quickly. Most students go a whole year without ever needing to drive.