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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Bryan Fox
Joined: 28 Jan 2009
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 Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 10:54 pm Post subject: Driver's License in Korea? |
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Wondering who knows about this out there, figuring at least a few readers may have cars...I am about to take a position in a small town which would definitely require me to get a vehicle. I'm not quite ready to die so I don't want to get a scooter. I've seen secondhand cars advertised cheaply on craigslist, but what concerns me is the driver's license itself. Can I just transfer my US license over somehow, or will I have to take the test in Korean? Is there a website that has English guidelines for driving in this country?
thanks in advance |
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Scamps
Joined: 01 Feb 2008
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djsmnc
Joined: 20 Jan 2003
Location: Dave's ESL Cafe
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| Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:21 pm Post subject: |
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| Take your US license, passport, ID, and a few photos. Pay silly fees, do an eye exam, take a computer test in Konglish, surrender your US license until you leave Korea, and VOILA! you have a license! |
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bluelake
Joined: 01 Dec 2005
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 12:10 am Post subject: |
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| djsmnc wrote: |
| Take your US license, passport, ID, and a few photos. Pay silly fees, do an eye exam, take a computer test in Konglish, surrender your US license until you leave Korea, and VOILA! you have a license! |
That last part is especially important, as the test is NOT easy. There are some questions that make absolutely no sense in English. There are some where there is more than one correct answer; you have to pick the correct one they were thinking about. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 1:25 am Post subject: Re: Driver's License in Korea? |
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| Bryan Fox wrote: |
Wondering who knows about this out there, figuring at least a few readers may have cars...I am about to take a position in a small town which would definitely require me to get a vehicle. I'm not quite ready to die so I don't want to get a scooter. I've seen secondhand cars advertised cheaply on craigslist, but what concerns me is the driver's license itself. Can I just transfer my US license over somehow, or will I have to take the test in Korean? Is there a website that has English guidelines for driving in this country?
thanks in advance |
http://www.dla.go.kr/ for the website with the information you seek. There IS an English website (look for the tab).
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Emark
Joined: 10 May 2007
Location: duh, Korea?
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 1:31 am Post subject: |
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I got my Korean D/L in 2004, so maybe the rules have changed since then.
All I did was show my Alberta D/L and passport. I didn't have my AIC at the time. I didn't 'surrender' my Alberta D/L either. After paying a small fee, taking a sight test, and waiting for 45 minutes while they created the license, they returned my Canadian license back to me with my new Korean one.
The funniest thing is, because I had no AI#, the license number read:
710625 5000000
Koreans looked at it and freaked out thinking it was fake. I still have colour copies of it.
Anyway, that's my story. I got mine done in Yongin. It was easy. I hope it still is. |
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Mr Crowley
Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Location: Suwon
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 3:18 am Post subject: |
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| I have my Korean drivers license, and am going home in a few weeks for a visit. I have to take a copy of my plane ticket (itinarary sp?), and passport in order to get my US license back. Do I have to leave my Korean license to get my US license back ? |
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supernaut
Joined: 04 Jan 2007
Location: Nova Scotia
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 3:26 am Post subject: |
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| i just traded in my canadian license, paid silly fine and got my korean license, i didnt have to do a konglish test. That was in June last year. |
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runthegauntlet
Joined: 02 Dec 2007
Location: the southlands.
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 3:28 am Post subject: |
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| bluelake wrote: |
| djsmnc wrote: |
| Take your US license, passport, ID, and a few photos. Pay silly fees, do an eye exam, take a computer test in Konglish, surrender your US license until you leave Korea, and VOILA! you have a license! |
That last part is especially important, as the test is NOT easy. There are some questions that make absolutely no sense in English. There are some where there is more than one correct answer; you have to pick the correct one they were thinking about. |
I second this. One question away from failing my written test. Didn't know what the heck they were asking for one or two questions. |
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CentralCali
Joined: 17 May 2007
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 4:16 am Post subject: |
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| supernaut wrote: |
| i just traded in my canadian license, paid silly fine and got my korean license, i didnt have to do a konglish test. That was in June last year. |
Testing requirement depends on your nationality. Canadians are not required to take the written exam if they have a current Canadian DL; however, we Americans must take the written exam. |
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fustiancorduroy
Joined: 12 Jan 2007
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 4:35 am Post subject: |
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| runthegauntlet wrote: |
| bluelake wrote: |
| djsmnc wrote: |
| Take your US license, passport, ID, and a few photos. Pay silly fees, do an eye exam, take a computer test in Konglish, surrender your US license until you leave Korea, and VOILA! you have a license! |
That last part is especially important, as the test is NOT easy. There are some questions that make absolutely no sense in English. There are some where there is more than one correct answer; you have to pick the correct one they were thinking about. |
I second this. One question away from failing my written test. Didn't know what the heck they were asking for one or two questions. |
So maybe it's easier to take the test in Korean? |
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bluelake
Joined: 01 Dec 2005
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 4:53 am Post subject: |
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| fustiancorduroy wrote: |
| runthegauntlet wrote: |
| bluelake wrote: |
| djsmnc wrote: |
| Take your US license, passport, ID, and a few photos. Pay silly fees, do an eye exam, take a computer test in Konglish, surrender your US license until you leave Korea, and VOILA! you have a license! |
That last part is especially important, as the test is NOT easy. There are some questions that make absolutely no sense in English. There are some where there is more than one correct answer; you have to pick the correct one they were thinking about. |
I second this. One question away from failing my written test. Didn't know what the heck they were asking for one or two questions. |
So maybe it's easier to take the test in Korean? |
I passed with a 70%, which was cutting it close. I vowed to myself while taking the test that, if I failed, the next time I would take the Korean version; I'm glad I didn't have to do it. |
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Emark
Joined: 10 May 2007
Location: duh, Korea?
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 10:36 am Post subject: |
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| CentralCali wrote: |
| supernaut wrote: |
| i just traded in my canadian license, paid silly fine and got my korean license, i didnt have to do a konglish test. That was in June last year. |
Testing requirement depends on your nationality. Canadians are not required to take the written exam if they have a current Canadian DL; however, we Americans must take the written exam. |
Canadians have it good. 6 month tourist visas, no D/L exams, better accents ... uh, I might be pushing it there. We still have Newfies. |
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runthegauntlet
Joined: 02 Dec 2007
Location: the southlands.
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 4:00 pm Post subject: |
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| fustiancorduroy wrote: |
| runthegauntlet wrote: |
| bluelake wrote: |
| djsmnc wrote: |
| Take your US license, passport, ID, and a few photos. Pay silly fees, do an eye exam, take a computer test in Konglish, surrender your US license until you leave Korea, and VOILA! you have a license! |
That last part is especially important, as the test is NOT easy. There are some questions that make absolutely no sense in English. There are some where there is more than one correct answer; you have to pick the correct one they were thinking about. |
I second this. One question away from failing my written test. Didn't know what the heck they were asking for one or two questions. |
So maybe it's easier to take the test in Korean? |
I don't speak Korean so that wasn't an option for me. But I was also under the impression that the Korean test was much longer; the English test is a condensed version. I was the first one done with my test by a long time. |
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outkast_3000
Joined: 20 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 4:08 pm Post subject: |
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| At least in April 2009, all I did was hand in my Canadian license, pay some fees, submit some pictures, and do an eye exam and "health check" (which consisted of squatting up and down and clenching your fists together, lol). I thought I was supposed to do a writing test, because at that point, I had heard that the rules had changed and that the test would be implemented to all people seeking a Korean license. However, the lady never made me do it. Be prepared for the writing test though, I'm assuming the lady just did her job wrong when she issued me mine without the test. Also, they'll keep your "home" license on file until you leave Korea and return your Korean license. Another indication the lady who served me knew nothing - she gave me my Canadian license and Korean license together. haha I did all of this at the driving centre in Samseong-dong, near Coex mall. |
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