Korean Job Discussion Forums

[warmachinenkorea]

From my understanding I need a embassy cert., passport, and my US license. I take it to the my provincial DMV, fill out the papers, do a little health thingy, and take a test.

I did these things and failed the test. Can't take the test twice in one day and the DMV is over an hour away. So it's tough go through this again.

However, a South African friend of mine, who lives in the same town as me, took his SA license, embassy cert, etc... to the same DMV office and they allowed him to just trade his in with no test?

So did he get lucky or did I get messed over?

[brucefox]

are you trying to get an international license to drive in Korea and other lands?

I am Canadian and all I needed to do was to go to CAA (AMA for you) with my provincial license and AMA membership card pay 20 bux and they issued me an international license good for a year. I will renew it next year during my travel back home.

I am sure your auto insurance company will be able to do the same.
I hope you are an AMA member and that they can help you.

[Underwaterbob]

Americans have to take the written test, Canadians, and apparently South Africans, need only trade in their home country's license and take the eye test. I'm not sure what Korea's reasoning is for this, but it's been the case for some time.

[warmachinenkorea]

I knew they changed some things. Before I guess you could just exchange now you have to take the test. But I thought all nationalities had to take the test.

[ttompatz]

[blade]

Holders of a driver's license issued from a country that recognizes a Korean driver's license are exempted from all the tests, except for the physical examination.

http://english.seoul.go.kr/lh/residence/driving.php?pidx=5

[davemon]

Any reason not to just get the $15 international driver's permit?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Driving_Permit

[scorpiocandy]

I'm South African and just got mine a few months ago. I almost wish I did have to take the test because driving here and driving back home are so different.
Unprotected left turns.Waiting for the left arrow. Going right on the red light. Signs that make no sense to me sometimes.

Unless you're a total pro, I'd say try the test again rather than get the international permit.

[warmachinenkorea]

[Canonite]

I went into my local CAA and got an International Driver's Permit on the spot for 15 bucks...can't go wrong with that. I have a special BC driver's licence that acts as a passport for land and sea crossings into the US, so I was reluctant to trade it in for a Korean one.

The IDL allows you to drive in something like 100 countries...also, it can be renewed while you're abroad (don't have to do it when you're visiting back home). Just fill out the form, attach a few passport photos and send it in a month before your IDL expires. They'll mail you your new IDL. This is what I'm planning on doing.

Obviously this info is only for Canadians...

[Nuggets]

I'm heading to the US embassy tomorrow.

So, you just bring the needed documents and you fill out a form so they can stamp it and hand them $50 for doing it, right?

Can I find this form online somewhere to prefill?

[goreality]

Maybe you should study for the test? Perhaps, this is why you have to wait 24 hours to try again? Do not feel so bad, when I went for it, I saw a few people who failed multiple times.

[Bibbitybop]

Driving on an IDP in Korea while you have a long-term visa is illegal after a short amount of time. I think it is 90 days.

For the stream of people about to disagree with me, call 02 330 5644 and ask for yourself.

[waseige1]

[nathanrutledge]