Korean Job Discussion Forums

simIAN · Joined: 02 Sep 2007

I have heard that you can simply hand in your NA drivers licence and get a Korean one. I have a window of opportunity on Friday and I would like to get my licence changed, as I have been driving my scooter without for a year now and I know my 'not getting caught luck' won't last forever. Does anyone know where this can be done?

My licence from back home is a dual car/bike licence FYI.

Thanks for your help

Cheers

CentralCali · Joined: 17 May 2007

You hear partially correct information. Depending on your nationality, the procedure for getting a Korean license is one of the following:

Take a written examination, take a physical agility exam, take a vision test, relinquish your home country DL, get issued a Korean DL.
Take a physical agility exam, take a vision test, relinquish your home country DL, get issued a Korean DL.
Take a written examination, take a road test on a closed course, take a road test on an open course, take a physical agility exam, take a vision test, relinquish your home country DL, get issued a Korean DL.

I think that covers all the circumstances. Others who have actual information to the contrary, please feel free to correct the above.

As I'm American and had a California DL, I followed the first option.

machellebelle · Joined: 16 Feb 2008

I got my Korean DL last Friday. I went to the place in Kangnam, forked over 11k and my VA DL, took an eye exam, and that was that. I didn't have to do the written, who knows why. Maybe my visa?

simIAN · Joined: 02 Sep 2007

Where in Gangnam did you do this? I will do the same on Friday.

I-am-me · Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Location: Hermit Kingdom

Dont give them your american license. That is your property not theirs. I have not seen anything yet stating you have to give them your property. I got my korean license and still have my american license.

Phlex · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Seoul

I exchanged my Illinois DL to Korean last year. No written exam required, only an eye test and 11k won fee for stamp and eye exam. You can also exchange your Korean license to your original license if you show your airline tickets and explain to them you're leaving Korea.

You'll need to bring 2 passport size photos of yourself. You can use one of those cheap photo booths, there is one at the subway station near the US embassy.

http://www.dla.go.kr/english/index.jsp

Milwaukiedave · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong

Exchanging your licence is not a big deal. I've done it and in fact am going home in August, so I plan to go back and get my Oregon licence and then swap them again when I get back. I only to home every two years.

Exchanging a Foreign Licence to a Korean Licence

Item Details
Required
documents 1. Foreign driver's license (on exchange, you must surrender your license, which can be returned when you leave Korea if you bring your passport and airline ticket)
2. Embassy certificate
* Embassy certificate is exempted for those who have a license issued from US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, Belgium, Poland, or Italy.
3. Translated and notarized copy (the issued date & valid period must be written on the translated copy)
* Translated and notarized copy is exempted for the license written in English
4. Passport
5. Alien registration card
6. Three photos (3cm by 4cm)
Others 1. The applicant must be a normal resident in Korea. (visitor without ARC cannot exchange licenses)
2. Applying by proxy is not allowed.
3. The license must be a full license. (temporary, provisional, probationary, permit, certificate, or motorcycle license cannot be exchanged)
4. If the license is not issued from one's home country, the applicant should prove that he/she has resided in that country for more than 90days.
* For example, Canadian with US license must prove that he/she has resided in US for more than 90 days through official letter from school or company
Fee Physical exam (5,000won), License(6,000won)

calet · Joined: 22 Mar 2009

For locations for licencing, call the Seoul Global Centre. 02 1688 0120.

If you come from a country where it is required for you to do the exams (See the above post), then you will need to go to some specific branches. I went in Samsung I think. Theres a few around.

Tell the global centre your nationality and they can tell you were the closest centre to you is, and their opening times. Some are open on the weekend too i think. I think the global centre even mentioned that they can do licencing there if you don't have to do the test... but don't quote me on it. *^^*

Mine took about an hour as i had to do the test because I'm from NZ. 87%! yeah! the sentences on the tests is really funny. I would love to have written some of the questions down ^^

Also, I had to hand in my NZ licence. The lady who took it didn't speak any English, so i couldn't ask her why I had to hand it over.

calet · Joined: 22 Mar 2009

For locations for licencing, call the Seoul Global Centre. 02 1688 0120.

If you come from a country where it is required for you to do the exams (See the above post), then you will need to go to some specific branches. I went in Samsung I think. Theres a few around.

Tell the global centre your nationality and they can tell you were the closest centre to you is, and their opening times. Some are open on the weekend too i think. I think the global centre even mentioned that they can do licencing there if you don't have to do the test... but don't quote me on it. *^^*

Mine took about an hour as i had to do the test because I'm from NZ. 87%! yeah! the sentences on the tests is really funny. I would love to have written some of the questions down ^^

Also, I had to hand in my NZ licence. The lady who took it didn't speak any English, so i couldn't ask her why I had to hand it over.

rpayvin · Joined: 29 Apr 2009

While we're on the topic, does anyone have any advice about getting a Korean driving license if you don't have a foreign license?

rpayvin · Joined: 29 Apr 2009

Also, do you need a full license to drive a scooter/motorbike?

Milwaukiedave · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong

I believe if you don't have a foreign license, then you have to take the road test.

For scooters/motorbikes it depends on the size of the engine. You might take a look at this thread:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=82911

esetters21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

I exchanged my Florida license 3 years ago. I took the physical and written tests. It was painless.

As MD said, I don't see the big deal in exchanging your license. You can get it back upon leaving Korea. Mine was expiring in a month at that time anyway, so whatever.

With a regular KDL you can drive up to a nine passenger car or ride up to a 125cc motorbike (at least those were the restrictions at that time).