Korean Job Discussion Forums

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

http://www.dla.go.kr/english/01_info/info01.jsp

Looks complicated.. is it?

You have to take a physical exam and an eye exam beforehand? Is that right? Then road tests and safety classes?

Some of the posters out there (if I remember past posts correctly) only had to set about taking a simple test. How'd you avoid the rest?

I also read that I can simply exchange my U.S. one for a Korean one.. but if I want to KEEP my U.S. one, then its required I go through the test and other formalities.

Anyone clean up any of this? Or simplify it?

dogshed · Joined: 28 Apr 2006

On my website I have a part 1 for getting my license. I have not posted part 2.

Here are the basics. You go on one day, fill out paperwork, and do the physical and eye test. You need three passport photos total. Take them with you in case the photo booth at the office isn't working. You can buy an English driving manual for 10,000 won. On the first day they take two of your photos. They also copied my ARC and Missouri driver's license. The fee that day was less than 10,000 won.

Come back on another day to do the test. There are Saturday tests once a month at the place I went. I think that's the norm for all centers.

On testing day you should bring a special computer marker for filling in the bubbles on the test card. At the end they took my third photo and my American driver's license. I think there was an 8000 won fee.

When I go on vacation to China I will go back to the office and show them my e-ticket. They have promised that they will give me my Missouri license.

You might be able to do it all on one visit if you get there very early but with the language barrier it might go more smoothly if you do it over two days.

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

I was told that two days were necessary, but in my case they were not. I did not need a special computer marking pen, as I took the test on the computer. I studied using only what was available online.

I then went online and ordered a duplicate of my US license. Your state, of course, may vary.

Otherwise, yeah, what dogshed said.

seoulsucker · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 3:49 pm Post subject:

It's fairly simple if you have a valid license from a "reciprocal law" country.

However, getting a license from scratch is a PITA. Unless your Korean is passable, you'll have to take the safety course in English, which is offered ONCE A MONTH during working hours.

Then you'll be scheduled to take the course test, which is an ultra-sensitive, precision test. Took me three times to pass it, which is way below average from what I gather.

I'm taking the road test for the second time on Friday. Apparently, you have to signal a lane change 30 meters before you cross the line, and then keep your signal on 30 meters after you've completely entered the lane. I made the mistake of switching off my signal immediately after making the change...5 times. Shocked

In any case, the whole system is a scam, and way too reliant on testing instead of training. It basically forces people to learn how to pass a test, without any regard to actual driving skills in the real world. It really is no wonder Korea ranks so high on the OECD for traffic/pedestrian/passenger deaths.

simone · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Location: Now Mostly @ Home

Quick question -

Yes, I know, I should have looked into this earlier than the day of my flight!

I have an expired Canadian licence, and a valid Korean licence. They didn't keep my Canadian licence when I got it, it just expired naturally last fall.

Anyone under similar circumstances driven in Canada? Rented a car? I figure if I show all my ID a cop would "get it" that I have a valid licence - it's only for two weeks so I'm not going to lie and say that I'm becoming a Canadian resident again...

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Anyone roughly knows what times they are open? I can't seem to find that info on the website. Also, is it open on Saturdays?

thebomb · Joined: 13 Nov 2006

It all depends what country you are from. I myself am from the U.K. I filled in the form, an they photocopied by UK license and gave it back there and then. I then proceeded to the eye test and colour blindness test, took about 2 mins at a cost of 10k. Handed my pass results from the medical to the staff at the main counter, they gave me a receipt and told me to come back in 1 hour. Took a number and i was handed my 9 year license. POP.

seoulsucker · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 8:24 pm Post subject:

I'm pretty sure Canada falls under the reciprocal driving laws. I know that you can rent a car in the US with a Korean license, a good way to check on it is just call one of the national car rental agencies and ask them if it's all good.

It took a few transfers, but I finally got someone on the line who could confirm that the US and Korea fall under the same blanket agreement to international driving standards...in theory, that is. In practice? Well, let's just say you don't see too many Domino's pizza delivery boys on sidewalks in downtown Chicago.

xtchr · Joined: 23 Nov 2004

This is semi-related to the topic, (hope I don't hijack or kill the thread).

If someone wanted to get a copy of their original licence, i.e an exact dead-ringer, laminated etc, not just some manky colour photocopy,(noting that it's illegal in the home country to have more than one licence, and thus can't apply for one there) where would that someone go to do this?

Info and directions appreciated, thanks

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

christinajou · Joined: 03 Feb 2005

I lived in Bundang then, so I went to the Yongin DMV and brought my home license, photos, a passport, and some money. They do the so called "eye exam" right there. I was told to take a look at pictures of dots with colors and make out the numbers written in them. They just tested for color blindness. The the physical exam was to "go there are squat and stand bacl up." That was it! It took about 30-45 minutes...it wasn't that complicated.

esetters21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

It was very simple. I took the physical test (eye exam only) and a written test on the computer. I traded my Florida license (non-valid.. as Florida revokes your license once you cease to carry insurance). I can drive any passenger car up to 9 people in Korea without having done anything but pass an eye exam and a written test. The written test was simple (no need to study). Like other posters stated, I guess it depends on where you are from. It took me less than an hour for the whole process.

Merlyn · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Location: Korea

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I did it last year from scratch.

Took the computer test on Monday, the safety course on Tuesday (in Korean), had my first crack at the course on Thursday and my second on Friday (it's like an amusement park ride and a bit of a joke as far as that goes, but you kind of have to memorize the points where you need to brake, not let the speedometer get above some ridiculously low number, speed up at the right time, ram on the brakes and put the hazards on when the siren goes off, make a three point turn and get the rear wheels in the right place, etc.), and my road test on the next Monday (you need to have 10 or 15 hours of on-road experience before you take the road test).

Physical exam was done right there and it wasn't a big deal.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

I picked up my KOREAN international drivers licence today at the Yongin licence center.

Cost 7000 won, an application, a passport type photo, a copy of my korean drivers licence, copy of my ARC and copy of my passport info page.

Took 20 minutes to do including the update to my licence (address change).

They do have a requirement for E2 holders that you have been in Korea (or at least had your Korean licence) for a minimum of 3 years.

F2/4/5 s do not have the 3 year requirement.