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Daithi
Joined: 19 Jul 2010
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 Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 7:07 pm Post subject: Doing my Driving Test |
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Hi, can anyone give me information about doing your driving test and getting a Korean licence in Seoul?
(I have NO licence so I'm not looking to transfer my domestic for an international one)
I've read some info on it and am relatively sure I'll do it but due to my lack of driving experience, (never ever in a city or town) I will be starting from scratch and will need to take some lessons first.
Can anyone recommend a good english speaking driving school in Seoul?
Has anyone done a test recently? If so what are your thoughts about it? |
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f12
Joined: 17 Aug 2011
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| Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 9:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Although i have a british d/l, i decided to take some lessons and take a test from scratch as driving habits in korea are very different. The theory test and basic operation of a vehicle can officially be done in english, but the driving test in my case was in korean, so you may need to learn basic vocabulary like turn left, right etc. The test routes are rehearsed during the lessons, so the test is disappointingly very easy. |
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thelad
Joined: 11 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 12:35 am Post subject: |
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| bump for details! |
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andrewchon
Joined: 16 Nov 2008
Location: Back in Oz. Living in ISIS Aust.
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| Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 2:53 am Post subject: |
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I did a Korean motorcycle licence. Instructor said that 95% pass the driving portion of the test and only fail because:
1. did not put on seat belt before starting the car
2. gear not in park before starting
3. didn't have foot on brake pedal before switching to drive gear.
One failed because she clipped her belt onto the passenger side belt catch, although I thought that was impossible because the driver and passenger belts are made different.
You also have to do a simple physical: not blind, not deaf, not color-blind etc.
Knowledge test: you can buy the book of theory and questions at any bookshop. Not sure whether English version is available or not. |
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Kimchifart
Joined: 15 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 2:56 am Post subject: |
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| andrewchon wrote: |
I did a Korean motorcycle licence. Instructor said that 95% pass the driving portion of the test and only fail because:
1. did not put on seat belt before starting the car
2. gear not in park before starting
3. didn't have foot on brake pedal before switching to drive gear.
One failed because she clipped her belt onto the passenger side belt catch, although I thought that was impossible because the driver and passenger belts are made different.
You also have to do a simple physical: not blind, not deaf, not color-blind etc.
Knowledge test: you can buy the book of theory and questions at any bookshop. Not sure whether English version is available or not. |
Why I am not surprised! |
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GVI
Joined: 15 Mar 2011
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| Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 4:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Aside from having to maintain a sheet which you have to attach stamps to at each stage of the process, it isn't all that bad. I let my licence lapse and got it again in Korea. There are English handbooks and the written (computer) portion of the test can also be done in English. The driving course test isn't difficult, but one can fail if the instructions on what to do at each point in the driving course aren't understood. (I liken it to playing a computer game and not grasping a key step the first time or two you play it.) After not knowing what to do at one point when an alarm went off - stop the vehicle, put on the 4-way stop indicator, and count to 3 before resuming - and failing, I went early the next time with some juice bottles, canned coffees, and cigarettes and asked the police officers at the course to review with me what I had to do at this place and that on the course. (For those who haven't done it, you are alone in the car so there is nobody to turn to if you have a question.) Once it was explained to me, it was fine. Passed with a 95% or something. The subsequent city drive final test with a police officer in the passenger seat was a breeze. |
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Daithi
Joined: 19 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:52 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the info.
So to be honest without a basic grasp of Korean you could not pass this test?
Any ways around this that anyone knows of, having a friend translate in the car etc? |
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nathanrutledge
Joined: 01 May 2008
Location: Marakesh
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| Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Daithi wrote: |
Thanks for the info.
So to be honest without a basic grasp of Korean you could not pass this test?
Any ways around this that anyone knows of, having a friend translate in the car etc? |
You'll be fine.
I earned mine last year and the basic rundown is:
1. Listen to drivers safety - video in Korean with English subtitles.
2. Do a written computer test. I've been driving in the states for more than 10 years and I passed the test with a 78% (75% needed to pass). The questions are fairly logical, but there are a few stupid ones in there that have no real use for driving. Should be okay IF you know how to drive and have a logical sense of safety.
3. Sign up for and come back for the course test. The car will speak to you (in English) and tell you what to do. Basically, turn it on, use the blinkers, drive forward, stop and use the emergency flashers within a few seconds. Start again, turn the corner and stop.
4. Sign up for and take the road test. This is the hardest part because there is zero English. There is a video, and it shows what to do, but no English.
In between everything, you're collecting stamps and paying fees.
When I did the driving portion, i was doing well, and the guy asked me why I was taking the test. He kept talking to me (which is distracting on a test on korean roads), had me cut off a bus, blow through a yellow/red light on a turn on metal roads in a monsoon (we fishtailed), and then when I went to do the parallel parking, he told me not to put on my seatbelt (i had to trade seats with the other student). I thought he was testing me, but he slapped my hand and said "just park the car!"
I got a 100%. To be fair, I am a good driver, and the instructor saw my US license (with extra endorsements on it), and I handled the fishtail like a champ... but if you don't know how to drive, they WILL fail you. So, on one hand, be nervous because it is a test, but on the other hand, if you know how to handle a car, you'll be fine. |
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Hugo85
Joined: 27 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 11:56 pm Post subject: |
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| nathanrutledge wrote: |
2. Do a written computer test. I've been driving in the states for more than 10 years and I passed the test with a 78% (75% needed to pass). The questions are fairly logical, but there are a few stupid ones in there that have no real use for driving. Should be okay IF you know how to drive and have a logical sense of safety.
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Got about the same score without studying. Most of it is about logic; there were 2 questions about signalization signs that I didn't know, one of them had Korean writing (which makes sense to have even in an English exam).
No real need to study imo. |
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alljokingaside
Joined: 17 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 4:10 pm Post subject: |
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Quick Q- how long is the whole process? Also, related, do you have to go through a driving hakwon?
I'm trying to decide if just getting a Korean licence is easier/quicker or if I'm better off going through the annoying process of apostilling my US driver's licence and trading it in |
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Daithi
Joined: 19 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 5:53 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for all the info. I was waiting for my hand to heal(it was broken) before I started this process.
So step 1 is to get the book and study that. Anyone know of a bookshop that will have a copy in English?
Then I must sign up for the theory part? Can you just drop in to a test center and do it or do you have to schedule an appointment to take the test? |
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pegasus64128
Joined: 20 Aug 2011
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| Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 10:23 pm Post subject: |
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| f12 wrote: |
| Although i have a british d/l, i decided to take some lessons and take a test from scratch as driving habits in korea are very different. The theory test and basic operation of a vehicle can officially be done in english, but the driving test in my case was in korean, so you may need to learn basic vocabulary like turn left, right etc. The test routes are rehearsed during the lessons, so the test is disappointingly very easy. |
Who pays for lessons and a driving test (both cost) if they already have a drivers license? Why not help out with useful advice, and tips.
Last edited by pegasus64128 on Mon Apr 23, 2012 9:54 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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alljokingaside
Joined: 17 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 5:32 pm Post subject: |
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| The written test is shockingly simple. There's a video they make you watch beforehand (1 tedious hour long) that actually did help with 2-3 questions by count (specific info). The majority is like what a driver "should" do. A few questions that seemed to try to reinforce the idea that drivers should either pay their fines on time or avoid them period and question you on details abotu them that you won't know unless you look it up. |
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Daithi
Joined: 19 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:51 pm Post subject: |
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Can anyone reccommend an english speaking driving instructor or school so i can practice driving etc. before i do the test?
Also where do i go to sign up for the theory test? |
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f12
Joined: 17 Aug 2011
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| Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 12:30 am Post subject: |
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| pegasus64128 wrote: |
| f12 wrote: |
| Although i have a british d/l, i decided to take some lessons and take a test from scratch as driving habits in korea are very different. The theory test and basic operation of a vehicle can officially be done in english, but the driving test in my case was in korean, so you may need to learn basic vocabulary like turn left, right etc. The test routes are rehearsed during the lessons, so the test is disappointingly very easy. |
Who pays for lessons and a driving test (both cost) if they already have a drivers license? Why not help out with useful advice, and tips. |
wtf??? you should work on your reading comprehension.
1. i explained why i chose to pay.
2. useful advice? read again:
.......[/quote] need to learn basic vocabulary like turn left, right etc. The test routes are rehearsed during the lessons....[/quote] |
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