Korean Job Discussion Forums

PeterDragon · Joined: 15 Feb 2007

Okay, I'm getting a lot of conflicting information here.

Could someone who's done it tell me exactly what documents I need?

How many photos should I bring?

Do I need documents from the U.S. embassy stating that I'm a citizen, or will my ARC do?

Do I need to already have an international driver's license?

Enquiring minds like mine want to know.

PeterDragon · Joined: 15 Feb 2007

Also, do they give me a new license the same day, or do I have to wait to get it in the mail?

victorology · Joined: 10 Sep 2007

I am a U.S. citizen and I got my drivers license a few months ago. Do you have a current license from the U.S.? If so, all you need to do is take the eye test and health exam (they just make you bend your knees and stand up without using your hands to get back up).

Bring your license, passport and ARC and I believe that's all you need. They'll take your current license. You can get it back upon your return to the U.S.

victorology · Joined: 10 Sep 2007

Dome Vans · Guest

I did it last month.

Passport, ARC and current driving licence and 3 passport photos, I only had two photos but they said that was ok.

You pay 6000 won for the new licence. Which they swap for your own driving licence. They hold this. When you want to get your own driving licence back you need to take a plane ticket showing that you are leaving the country, permanently or temporarily doesn't matter and your passport or ARC.

You will pay 5000 won for the eye test. Easy peasy. I didn't have any physical test. In all it takes about 10 minutes with the forms and 10-15 minutes to make your new card. Then you're done.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 12:18 am Post subject:

Here's the website in English - http://www.dla.go.kr/english/01_info/info01.jsp

rmparent · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Location: Gangnam

I just got my driver's license yesterday. If you already have a valid license (my Canadian license expired) you can just exchange it for a Korean one.

I have an F-4 but I think the procedure is the same. I just brought my ARC and took some passport pics at the licensing center. I think you need 3 or 4.

I took the written test and then had to endure 3 hours of a 'training' lecture.

You then have to take a minimum 3 hour course for the course test (기능시험). Most driving academies require that you take their package course which can start anywhere from 400,000 KRW. However, there are some places that allow you to do the minimum 3 hours for around 60,000 KRW.

The course seems simple but is actually very tricky. You're in the car alone and must follow the rules to a tee. They include stopping the right distance at crosswalks etc, signalling, going through an 's' course, doing a 't' turn, parallel parking, etc. The in-car computer will dock off points when you make a mistake. You must get an 80 in order to pass.

Once you pass that, you will get your learner's permit and you can then move onto the road test (도로시험). This requires at least 10 hours of driving time starting from the point you receive the learner's permit. Of course you can just BS this and say that you learned from a friend (you will need to write down the friend's license number and signature) but I strongly suggest you practice a lot because you will need to memorize the course.

There are 2 courses: A and C. They will give you a map of the course and you will have to memorize both courses. However, I think most people do the A course. It's not that difficult to memorize.

When you take the test, usually someone goes before you (unless you're in the first 5) and you sit in the back seat so you can get an idea of what you need/shouldn't do. Just remember to always signal and keep both hands at 3 and 9 'o clock. The person judging you will be a police officer sitting in shotgun.

Before you register for each of the written, course, and road tests, you will need to purchase stamps which they will paste to your form.

Total cost and time to get a Korean driver's license from scratch: about a 100,000 KRW and 3 weeks. Which explains why Koreans drive the way they do.

PeterDragon · Joined: 15 Feb 2007

Well, I have an unexpired U.S. drivers license, thank God.

That english language site was very helpful, but I also need to know the hours of the Yongin and Kagnam testing locations. Does anyone know the business hours of the Korean DMV? Is there a place online where I could find their hours of operation English?

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

One year ago, I got my Korean license with a valid US license. I took the written test in "English" on the computer.

Chamchiman · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Location: Digging the Grave

gajackson1 · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 4:24 am Post subject:

Hmmm - Christina is interested in one as a souvenir, as she's got to give up her ARC when she leaves. I wouldn't mind having one, either, so a couple of questions:

1) C has a valid Georgia license & her ARC card, but we are leaving Korea (for good) July 1st. Will they want to do the license exchange? Or can she test and get the KDL, holding onto her USA one, as well?

2) If it is exchanged, does she have to surrender her KDL when she goes w/ her plane ticket to get her USA one back?

3) Are C-3 visa holders eligible for an IDL? The visas are good for 5 years, so I can't (ofhand) see why not . . . but this is Korea, after all. Laughing

4) Some people say your license must be valid; others are saying expired is OK - anyone can clarify/give recent testimony?

5) judging from the site, is it only the 338 Sangam-Dong / Mapo-Gu location where this can be done???

6) can motorcycle & car be done at same time/in same trip?

I'm sure I could dig around & get most of these answers, but time is tight, so hoping to cash in a little board dharma here.

Cheers!

G & C

Dome Vans · Guest

pacificman · Joined: 31 Jul 2007 Location: Seoul

I just got mine Friday. A couple of additional comments, but first I can confirm that the you get to keep BOTH your foreign and Korean drivers license when you have the plane ticket. Maybe it was unnecessary, but I chose to go to the drivers licesne office located at the Foreigners Help center downtown (City Hall station in the Press Center Building 3rd floor). I had discovered that office while getting my investors visa, and knew that they had english speaking staff. Also, one tidbit that I did't find anywhere in my research - while ordinarily an American (or anyone not from one of the countries which recognizes the Korean drivers license) would be required to take the written test, that requirement is waived for D-8 visa holders (could be waived for other visa types as well, I didn't ask). So all I had to take was an eye exam.

Chamchiman · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Location: Digging the Grave

I'd like to add a little information to this thread:

When you exchange your home license for the Korean license, be sure to make a few copies of both sides of your home license. You'll need a copy of your home DL to rent a car from AVIS in Korea (and likely from other big car rental companies here) as they have a policy that they won't rent a car to you if your Korean DL has been issued less than a year ago. Having a photocopy of your original DL to support the newly-issued Korean DL is sufficient.