Korean Job Discussion Forums

n3ptne · Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Location: Poh*A*ng City

"Which of the following is an incorrect car function that does not need to be replaced regularly?"

That was the first sign that something was awry. Very awry. As I sat down to take a written exam without having had even the slightest chance to study for. Fifty questions, thirty double negatives, three triple negatives. Passed in the top 10% of the group. Some of the questions had no correct answer. Another question was in regards to what public official one would seek out, if one had the desire to drive a school bus. And, I passed in the top 10%. Scary.

After that I made an appointment to sit in on a two hour lecture, and a one hour video segment, all of which was in Korean. I understood the teacher's name, and he had a neat little clip from the movie Meet Joe Black with Brad Pitt being mauled by three different automobiles. Directly following I was ushered into a close course test, and promptly failed because I did everything wrong.

I proceeded to fail that fucking course test three more times, and each time I took it, the rules and procedures for taking the test were explained to me a different way. In the end I managed to pass on my fifth try, scoring an astounding eighty-five out of the necessary eighty points to pass. Turns out that on that faithful fifth attempt I flawlessly executed every single one of the course elements (random encounters, parallel parking, the T, L, and S course, stopping an appropriate distance before intersections, changing gears, and maintaining the correct speed), and yet somehow lost fifteen points for reasons that were never properly explained to me.

Following that migraine was the final road test with a police officer that I passed this morning. The first driver, a middle aged Korean male, got to go first and I tried to pass the time reading in the back seat. Impossible. He swerved all over the road, had a hell of a time changing gears, and the cop had to use the passenger side brake twice. The it was my turn, and it was completely uneventful. The cop didn't make a single comment, just let me drive. I was pretty sure I passed, and sure enough I did... with an astonishing eighty out of the required seventy points to pass. The Korean driver? Eighty Five.

Not pointing any fingers... not angry. I came out on top and have a license that's good for ten years. I was relating the story to a friend of mine back home. He reminded me of the times I would drive the thirteen mile journey to and from university in twenty-four inch blizzard conditions on a daily basis, speeding the whole way, and more than once doing it under the legal influence of alcohol.

He asked if I told, "these people", about, "that shit", and why they would even bother putting someone from the Motor City through such an absurd testing procedure.

I just told him that, "It's Korea."

I love this country.

seoulsucker · Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 8:06 am Post subject:

My favorite was, "If you wish to become a village bus driver, which local official do you need to contact first?"

As if this has any bearing on driving in Korea.

Also, I'm pretty sure that once I finished the test in the States I was given the correct answers. Here? Not a word on what I did right or wrong on the written test.

Maybe they're trying to prevent cheating? But what's more important, knowing the rules of the road, or how you got the information?

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

n3ptne · Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Location: Poh*A*ng City

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

Been There, Taught That · Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 2:43 pm Post subject:

I wasn't aware of the need to get a Korean license when you already have a US one. Of course, I've never driven there, as a result of careful observation of actual traffic and plenty of experience 'skirting the edge of danger and adventure' in cabs and on city buses, but I had always planned that if I did, I would opt for an international drivers' license.

Did you get dinged for not honking drivers out of the way when making right turns and not seizing the moment at red lights to speed on through?

cangel · Joined: 19 Jun 2003 Location: Jeonju, S. Korea

When I took the written (computer) test, the questions and answers were awful! So many ill-written questions, incorrect grammar, and questions that had multiple correct answers. Simply awful. The questions took time to decipher but I still passed with an 85%. Awful, simply awful!

Been There, Taught That · Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 4:57 pm Post subject:

n3ptne · Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Location: Poh*A*ng City

I will say this though... I love driving in this country. I mean, what's not to love? Red lights are to be seen as a mere suggestion unless there's a camera. GPS units warn you of upcoming speed traps. Cops never pull you over, and if they do, and you're a foreigner they just shake their head and leave you alone. It's not an oddity to drive on the wrong side of the street if there isn't, or is, traffic. You can park anywhere. You can speed anywhere. You can drive on the sidewalk if need be. You can go down one way streets as you see fit.

Driving in this country is fucking awesome. I don't understand you people, I really don't. The slightest traffic infraction in US can result in a lengthy, and most unpleasant, ordeal with a police officer and an expensive fine. Here you can tell the cops to go *beep* themselves, and look forward to a painless bill in the mail that doesn't even require you to present yourself for payment.. that is if one even comes.

babtangee · Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 6:48 pm Post subject:

cangel · Joined: 19 Jun 2003 Location: Jeonju, S. Korea

Most states (America) have both the manual and tests available in numerous languages and professionally prepared. The Korea test was NOT professionally prepared by any stretch of the imagination.

KumaraKitty · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Location: Bucheon

Is the procedure different for Canadians? I just got my license Monday. We went to the office in Oryu-Dong area. They helped me fill out the form in English, I bought $10 in stamps. Attached a photo to the paper. Said yes to having taken a road test and written test before. Gave them my Canadian license. Went to take the physical exam, which was an eye exam. Passed, went back, gave them my pass sheet. The lady said to come back in 20 minutes. We ate in the cafeteria, went back, got my license. All new and shiny. She told my husband that I can get my canadian license back when I leave, I just have to bring in my plane ticket. Easy! No tests, nothing!

Kyrei · Joined: 22 Jan 2003

Same same, no test for me... I showed them my Canuck lisence and they gave me a Korean one. Actually, it is up for renewal this year... sheesh 8 years goes by quickly...

Fresh Prince · Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Location: The glorious nation of Korea

Yes it's different for Canadians.

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