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ScottyG
Joined: 09 Jun 2006
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 Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 3:50 pm Post subject: Getting a drivers licencse in Korea - Regulations changed??? |
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I've heard some people describe this as easy peasy, as simply trading in the original from your home nation and writing a silly test. But when my wife phones the license place to ask, they now say that my Canadian license has to be notarized officially by the Canadian Embassy. VERY inconvenient if you don't live in Seoul (or even if you do).
Anyone know if this is true? I can't find anything helpful that's recent. Anyone gotten their license within the least while who might have some experience? I've heard it all depends on who you deal with on a certain day etc. but it might be fact that you do indeed need to fulfill this extra annoying first step.
Cheers |
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crossmr
Joined: 22 Nov 2008
Location: Hwayangdong, Seoul
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| Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 3:52 pm Post subject: |
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| yes. Apparently some people were trading fake licenses so you need a certificate from the embassy stating your license is real. |
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Ramen
Joined: 15 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 3:54 pm Post subject: |
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| crossmr wrote: |
| yes. Apparently some people were trading fake licenses so you need a certificate from the embassy stating your license is real. |
Next, they want apostiled license.  |
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jvalmer
Joined: 06 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 4:12 pm Post subject: |
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| Ramen wrote: |
| crossmr wrote: |
| yes. Apparently some people were trading fake licenses so you need a certificate from the embassy stating your license is real. |
Next, they want apostiled license. |
It's always the questionable few that try to skirt regulations, with a few doctored documents, that make it hard for the rest of us. |
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ScottyG
Joined: 09 Jun 2006
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| Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 11:09 pm Post subject: |
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yep. pretty pathetic really. i spent the afternoon and got it done. lucky thing i happen to be visiting seoul for the weekend and have my license and passport with me. but what if you're from Taejon or somewhere far away, and can't come easily on a weekday??? I phoned the embassy and asked if it could be done my mail. Nope. Only in person M-F before 11:30 am. And the price to get a stamp that took all of five minutes? 57,000.
Reactionary policies for foreigners in Korea sure are getting carried away. What next? All mail coming in for English teachers first sniffed by dogs at a police station?? Urine tests for all once getting off the plane? |
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Kevtron
Joined: 17 Jul 2007
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| Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 4:33 am Post subject: |
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| I assume this is also necessary to get an int'l license and not just a Korean one? |
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Stan Rogers
Joined: 20 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 7:03 am Post subject: |
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| crossmr wrote: |
| yes. Apparently some people were trading fake licenses so you need a certificate from the embassy stating your license is real. |
Too much foreign trash washing up on the shores making things harder for everyone. |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 8:18 am Post subject: |
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| Stan Rogers wrote: |
| crossmr wrote: |
| yes. Apparently some people were trading fake licenses so you need a certificate from the embassy stating your license is real. |
Too much foreign trash washing up on the shores making things harder for everyone. |
There's a group called AES that you might like. |
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hellofaniceguy
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Location: On your computer screen!
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| Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 8:42 am Post subject: |
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| Stan Rogers wrote: |
| crossmr wrote: |
| yes. Apparently some people were trading fake licenses so you need a certificate from the embassy stating your license is real. |
Too much foreign trash washing up on the shores making things harder for everyone. |
That's funny!
The same exact thing is said by foreigners in our home countries. Too much foreign trash making it bad for all..... |
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Stan Rogers
Joined: 20 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 9:19 am Post subject: |
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| Bibbitybop wrote: |
| Stan Rogers wrote: |
| crossmr wrote: |
| yes. Apparently some people were trading fake licenses so you need a certificate from the embassy stating your license is real. |
Too much foreign trash washing up on the shores making things harder for everyone. |
There's a group called AES that you might like. |
Ok then how about..... so many wonderful foreigners have shown up looking for a drivers licence and the Koreans tightened up the rules to welcome them? |
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nathanrutledge
Joined: 01 May 2008
Location: Marakesh
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| Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Stan Rogers wrote: |
| Bibbitybop wrote: |
| Stan Rogers wrote: |
| crossmr wrote: |
| yes. Apparently some people were trading fake licenses so you need a certificate from the embassy stating your license is real. |
Too much foreign trash washing up on the shores making things harder for everyone. |
There's a group called AES that you might like. |
Ok then how about..... so many wonderful foreigners have shown up looking for a drivers licence and the Koreans tightened up the rules to welcome them? |
How about you think about your home? You want Mexicans/Guatamalans/Poles/Romanians/etc... coming to your country, turning in a fake drivers license, and getting in accidents on your street? Jvalmer is right, the few ruin it for the many, and with a brush big enough to paint Texas in a single stroke, if you want to defame the many, then yes, AES is right up your alley. |
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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 6:09 pm Post subject: Re: Getting a drivers licencse in Korea - Regulations change |
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| ScottyG wrote: |
I've heard some people describe this as easy peasy, as simply trading in the original from your home nation and writing a silly test. But when my wife phones the license place to ask, they now say that my Canadian license has to be notarized officially by the Canadian Embassy. VERY inconvenient if you don't live in Seoul (or even if you do).
Anyone know if this is true? I can't find anything helpful that's recent. Anyone gotten their license within the least while who might have some experience? I've heard it all depends on who you deal with on a certain day etc. but it might be fact that you do indeed need to fulfill this extra annoying first step.
Cheers |
Yes, earlier this year, I had to go to Seoul to get mine notorized. The embassy was only open on weekdays and open to the public in the mornings. It meant I had to go up the night before and stay in a hotel. I then arrived early in the morning, wen,t and got it done. Maybe 80,000 won? Can't remember for sure. Real pain in the butt. Glad it's done with now. |
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Epik_Teacher
Joined: 28 Apr 2010
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| Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 1:54 am Post subject: |
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| I've driven on my US license for years. I got a ticket a few months ago, took it to the police station to pay. I showed the cop my license, he didn't bat an eye. I took that to mean it wasn't too big of a deal if you have an E2 visa. |
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crossmr
Joined: 22 Nov 2008
Location: Hwayangdong, Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 3:32 am Post subject: |
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| Epik_Teacher wrote: |
| I've driven on my US license for years. I got a ticket a few months ago, took it to the police station to pay. I showed the cop my license, he didn't bat an eye. I took that to mean it wasn't too big of a deal if you have an E2 visa. |
technically you're only the country for a year..so.. I'm not sure what the regulations are on that. Considering canadians get 6 month tourist visas you're only in the country twice as long as a tourist could be. if you were on a multi-year residency it might be different. |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 3:50 am Post subject: |
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It's called bureaucracy and liability. These are the consequences of living in a regulated, democratic, and court-based society, as on the fringes of all of those Korea may be.
Someone scams the system, accident happens, lawsuits follow, new regulations result.
Welcome to the Age of 1-800-ISUEFRU
I had to do the same thing and go to Uncle Sam's House of Lines (Not the fun white ones)
ON the other hand the license took me 45 minutes to get in my hand. Once I had all the forms. Having to use a vacation day stunk though. |
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