Korean Job Discussion Forums

[pidgin]

Alrighty, so....I've gotten a car for personal use, and I don't have a license...

Last year I lost my US driving license (FL) along with my wallet, etc... The license would have been expired by now, I think.

Anyways, what do I need to do to get legal? (search engine here failed me)

Would you suggest a Korean license or an international one?

Is the Korean test (written) offered in the Korean language only?

How will my lost license affect either process?

[maximreality]

You need to have a valid license in your home country to be able to obtain an international license. The downside of the international license is that it's valid only for 3 years, so renewing it can be a bit annoying AND that you can only use it in Korea for 1 year since you entered the country last time(So you need to go to a trip outside Korea at least once in a year - I had to make a short trip to Japan once because of this limitation). Also, if you have a Korean license, you can pay less in case of traffic violation as there's a certain amount of penalty points or whatever they're called you can use. Also, not all policemen are familiar with 3-year international license (even though its perfectly legal in Korea) and can be quite bitchy about it. I once had an accident here and it took some time and few phone calls to sort out the situation with my international license coz the stupid police just couldn't believe there can be such a license and blamed me for driving without permit and thus guilty for the accident as well.

If I were you I would retake driving test here and get a local license. It's not really that hard to get.

[pidgin]

Nice thanks. As for the Korean license. Written and driving test you think? I'm 37 (if that matters at all).

Written = in Korean?

Driving = in Korean?

Thanks again.

[bellum99]

All the information is here:

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

[Bibbitybop]

You must get an International license from your home country (from the USA, you need to visit a AAA office with a valid US license) and they are only good for one year. Korea does allow people with a Korean license to get an Intl. license from Korea under special circumstances (I think it's 3 years or more residency, just check out the link bellum gave), but if you have a Korean license already, you don't need an Intl. license to drive legally in Korea.

If you get caught driving with no valid license in Korea, you will be banned from getting a Korean license for 2 years and pay a hefty fine. Some people pay 2.0 million won, but there is not standard fine listed in the traffic regulations and penalties website.

Haven't seen you around much, Pidgin. How goes it?

[pidgin]

Going great Bibbity! Thanks. I'll be 'marrying-in' next year.

I usually post on ajarnforum.

How's life with you then??

[Netz]

Get both.

The one from AAA takes an hour to get, and you can use it as your first "get out of jail free" card....


P.S. make sure any DL photos you use were done by a professional modeling agency, the KNP are tougher than the judges on "America's Next Top Model".

[earthbound14]

so your saying you lost your American lic and are thinking about replacing it with a Korean one. I thought about doing the same. I went in to the driving agency and took the written test in prep for the driving test. I asked for a text book, but none were in English and they had a hard time telling me when a class might be offered in English to study for the test. I figured I'd try the test to see how well I did. I figured after years of driving a written test would be pretty easy. I failed horribly.

The test was ridiculous. They asked questions like "If you are an ambulance driver and you have an accident which is your fault which patients do you treat first, yours or the new ones" The option, "None of them, I assume I would be just as likely to be injured and needing help." was not there.

While driving a truck and trailer, what is a safe speed to drive at in snow....hmmm, again there is clearly a right answer in Korea that has little bearing on driving around the world. I think the choices were 30KM/h, 35km/h 40km/h or 45km/h..........no mention of the precise depth of snow, the actual temperature on the road surface or the length of time since it snowed.

My point being that unless you are looking for some humour, wasted time and frustration, just get your home country to re-issue your license and use it. Far easier. I called up my local licensing agency, told them my story and asked them to allow my mother to pick it up and ship it to me. After explaining how stupid the test was and how bad Korean drivers were the lady was very happy to help me.

[Bibbitybop]

[Netz]

[Bibbitybop]

Korean cops are great when it comes to traffic violations. No speaka da Englishee. But if you are in trouble or need help, you are better off praying to God, Buddha or Krishna for help.

I specifically want to know what happens if I get caught speeding. There is a point system for Korean licenses, but what happens with an International license?

[Netz]

[OiGirl]

[maximreality]

[Bibbitybop]