Everything you need to know before you drive
Reserving a vehicle through 4Drive Korea follows a straightforward process. You select dates and location, choose your vehicle, and confirm online. The system shows real-time availability from local rental companies across Jeju Island and other locations. Your booking confirmation includes all details needed for pickup.
Book as soon as your travel dates are confirmed. Peak seasons - spring cherry blossom weeks, summer holidays, and autumn foliage months - see high demand. Winter bookings are generally more flexible. Last-minute reservations are possible but vehicle choice narrows, especially for 4WD models and SUVs suited to mountain routes.
You need pickup and return dates with specific times, your flight details if collecting from CJU Jeju International Airport, driver's licence number, and a valid payment card for the online booking advance. Additional driver details can be added during the process. Your email address receives the booking voucher within minutes of confirmation.
Yes. Once payment of the booking advance is processed, you receive an email voucher with your reservation number, pickup instructions, and the local rental company contact details. Check spam folders if the email does not appear within 10 minutes. The voucher includes everything needed at the counter.
Understanding the payment structure helps avoid confusion at pickup. When you book through 4Drive Korea, you pay a booking advance online by card. The remaining balance is settled when you collect the vehicle, using a method specified for that particular vehicle in your voucher.
We accept major credit and debit cards for the online booking advance. Cash cannot be used for online transactions. The advance secures your reservation. For details on accepted card types and processing, visit our payment methods page.
You settle the balance at pickup. The payment method accepted - debit card, cash, or credit card - depends on the specific vehicle you booked and is clearly stated in your voucher. Some vehicles accept cash for the balance, others require a card. Always check your confirmation email before arrival.
The booking advance is paid online. The structure separates reservation from final settlement. This gives flexibility in how you pay the balance, depending on the vehicle. The voucher specifies exactly what to bring to the pickup location.
The deposit is a separate matter from rental payment. Local rental companies may place a temporary hold on a card as security against damage or traffic fines. This hold amount and the card type required vary by vehicle and are shown during booking and in your voucher.
It depends on the vehicle. Some vehicles in our system do not require any deposit hold at all. Others may require a card with sufficient available limit for a temporary authorisation. The specific requirement is displayed when you select a vehicle and confirmed in your voucher. If you do not have a credit card, consider raising the limit on your debit card before travel.
The deposit is a temporary card hold that is released after you return the vehicle undamaged. The excess - also called franchise - is your maximum liability if damage occurs, regardless of whether a deposit was taken. These are independent parameters. A vehicle offered with no deposit still has an excess amount stated in the terms.
Driving legally in South Korea requires the correct paperwork. Local rental companies check documents at pickup and will not release a vehicle without them. Prepare these before you travel, as obtaining missing documents on arrival is difficult.
You must present your original driving licence, an International Driving Permit issued in your home country, your passport, the payment card used for the booking advance, and the printed or digital booking voucher. The IDP is mandatory for foreign licence holders in South Korea. Photocopies are not accepted.
Minimum age is typically 21 years, with at least one year of licence holding. Some larger vehicles or 4WD models require the driver to be 23 or 25 years old with two years' experience. Age requirements are specified for each vehicle during booking. All drivers must be listed on the rental agreement.
Yes. Additional drivers can be added at pickup for a daily fee. Each driver must meet the same age and licence requirements and present their own documents. Only named drivers on the agreement are covered. Inform the rental company at the counter if more than one person will drive.
Collection happens at the location you selected during booking. Jeju rentals are commonly picked up at CJU airport counters, nearby offices, or delivered to hotels in Yeon-dong or other areas. Your voucher contains precise instructions and the local company's contact details.
Pickup procedures vary by rental company. Some operate counters inside the terminal, others have desks just outside the arrivals area, and some provide a shuttle to a nearby depot. Your voucher specifies the exact location and any shuttle details. CJU is 5 km west of Jeju city centre via Route 1132, and most offices are within a short distance.
The rental company checks your documents, processes the balance payment, and explains the rental agreement. You sign the contract, which lists any pre-existing damage. Inspect the vehicle carefully - scratches, dents, and tyre condition are noted in the agreement. Take photos if you wish. The staff explains controls, fuel policy, and return location.
Some locations offer key drop boxes for after-hours returns, others require staff presence. Check your voucher for the specific return procedure. If you need to return early in the morning or late at night, confirm arrangements with the rental company using the contact number in your voucher before your return date.
South Korea drives on the right. Jeju Island has well-maintained coastal and mountain roads, but conditions differ from highways in Seoul or Busan. Knowing local rules and practical details makes your trip smoother.
Urban areas are 50-60 km/h, rural roads 60-80 km/h. There are no expressways on the island. Route 1132 circles the coast for approximately 180 km and is the main artery. Mountain roads leading to Hallasan National Park trailheads and routes to Seongsan Ilchulbong have lower limits and sharp curves. Speed cameras are common.
GS Caltex, SK Energy, and S-Oil stations are widespread across Jeju. Fuel is widely available in Jeju city, Seogwipo, and towns along the coast. Mountain interior areas have fewer stations, so fill up before driving to Hallasan or remote east coast sections. Most rentals require return with a full tank.
Ferry transport to Udo Island requires advance arrangement. This is an optional service booked separately, typically for a fee. Not all rental companies permit it. If you plan a side trip to Udo, mention this when booking and confirm the procedure in your voucher. The ferry departs from Seongsan, 45 km east of Jeju city.
Plans shift. Understanding modification and cancellation terms helps you manage changes without surprise costs. Policies depend on timing and are detailed in your booking confirmation.
Modifications depend on availability and timing. Contact us at [email protected] as soon as your plans change. Small adjustments - such as shifting pickup time by a few hours - are often manageable. Changing location or extending the rental period may require rebooking if the original vehicle is unavailable.
Cancellation terms are stated in your booking confirmation and vary by how far in advance you cancel. Early cancellations typically incur lower fees, while last-minute cancellations may result in forfeiture of the booking advance. Review the terms in your voucher or contact us for clarification.
Email [email protected] with your booking reference number and details of the change. Our team at Yeon-dong, Jeju, operates Mon-Sun: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM (GMT+9). Allow a few hours for a response. For urgent matters close to your pickup time, prioritise email as we do not operate a phone line.
Still have questions? Visit our contact page to reach the 4Drive Korea team directly. We respond to all enquiries from our Yeon-dong office during operating hours.