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cubanlord

Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Location: In Japan!
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Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 1:35 am Post subject: Driver's license |
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I am about to receive my driver's license from The States (had lost it and ordered a new one). How do I go about getting a Korean license? Anyone? |
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denverdeath
Joined: 21 May 2005 Location: Boo-sahn
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Original
Joined: 21 Mar 2006
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Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 4:32 am Post subject: Driver's License |
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Seeing as you are going to have a valid license from the United States when you go to the licensing place (there is one in Gangnam-I don't know exactly where you are living or if that place would be convenient for you), it is a fairly easy and painless process. Just make sure that you bring a couple of passport size pictures, your US drivers license, and alien registration card. You will get it, then have to go back to pick it up a day later I believe. You need 16 000 Won as well (don't quote me on that one, bring more just in case!)
Now the process for getting the license if you don't have a valid license from the US or Canada is a long and harrowing process. Avoid it at all costs! |
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Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994
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Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 4:46 am Post subject: |
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I would recommend you get a bottle of Grecian Formula and start applying it now. Later, when the guy in the right lane turns left in front of you as you are driving straight through the intersection and you miss him by mere inches, your heart has more RPMs than your engine and you can actually feel the color drain out of your hair, your friends and/or significant other won't notice. |
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bluelake

Joined: 01 Dec 2005
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Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 2:56 pm Post subject: |
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Quote: |
I am about to receive my driver's license from The States (had lost it and ordered a new one). |
My son was waiting for his license to arrive; we had it sent by Global Priority from the States. It never arrived (it's been a month now). Unfortunately, GP is untraceable, so he's going to have to apply for a replacement. How is yours being sent?
T |
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Goodgoings

Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Location: Seoul
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Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 3:26 pm Post subject: |
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What about gyopos from the states? I heard the process is different. |
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VanIslander

Joined: 18 Aug 2003 Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
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Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 3:58 pm Post subject: Re: Driver's License |
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Original wrote: |
...painless process. Just make sure that you bring a couple of passport size pictures, your US drivers license, and alien registration card. You will get it, then have to go back to pick it up a day later I believe. |
a day later? try ten minutes!
Last week I got my Korean license and it took less time than buying a Big Mac.
They looked at and photocopied my Canadian license and my alien registration card as I filled out a form in English (they also had forms in German, French, Chinese and Japanese). Then I was walked over to another area for a "physical test" which included looking at and reading four coloured numbers, then reading an eye chart (with my glasses on). The Korean guy behind me had to do squats, but I wasn't asked to. Then back to main counter where I handed over the small pictures (a bit smaller than passport is ideal - ask a Korean for the word). Five minutes later I got the card and was out the door.
The length of time may entirely depend on the location of the office. I got mine at the Gyeongsangnamdo office outside of Masan. Fast and friendly service. If I'd known it'd be so easy I would've gotten it years ago. |
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manlyboy

Joined: 01 Aug 2004 Location: Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
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Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 4:47 pm Post subject: Re: Driver's License |
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Original wrote: |
Now the process for getting the license if you don't have a valid license from the US or Canada is a long and harrowing process. Avoid it at all costs! |
I'm an Aussie, and got it done in a single afternoon. Officially, I had to get my Australian license certified by the Aussie embassy, but the people at the Gangnam office didn't even ask me for it. In fact, they very nearly put me down as a citizen of Austria, even after I'd shown them all my ID!
The only difficulty was the written test, which contains a lot of konglishy wording and some very pedantic questioning. You need 12 out of 20 to pass. I only felt certain about 9 of my answers and ended up just scraping through. |
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cubanlord

Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Location: In Japan!
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Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 5:39 pm Post subject: |
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bluelake wrote: |
Quote: |
I am about to receive my driver's license from The States (had lost it and ordered a new one). |
My son was waiting for his license to arrive; we had it sent by Global Priority from the States. It never arrived (it's been a month now). Unfortunately, GP is untraceable, so he's going to have to apply for a replacement. How is yours being sent?
T |
My sister from the states will send it fedex so that it is registered. Other items, i have her throw them in a care package. My care packages have yet to be opened and sorted through. Anything I buy or have sent from The States is usually thrown in a care package. The care package is sent via USPS and usually arrives within 10 business days. |
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jacl
Joined: 31 Oct 2005
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Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 5:58 pm Post subject: |
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I'm in a different situation. My license expired in June 2003 (Canada). Haven't been back home since (Taiwan/Korea). I have to do the written, parking lot and driving(10 hours ) tests.
I wonder if I could go to my embassy and work something out to get my Canadian license so I can just walk in and have it changed. Maybe not. |
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Horangi Munshin

Joined: 06 Apr 2003 Location: Busan
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Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 8:39 pm Post subject: Re: Driver's License |
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manlyboy wrote: |
Original wrote: |
Now the process for getting the license if you don't have a valid license from the US or Canada is a long and harrowing process. Avoid it at all costs! |
I'm an Aussie, and got it done in a single afternoon. Officially, I had to get my Australian license certified by the Aussie embassy, but the people at the Gangnam office didn't even ask me for it. In fact, they very nearly put me down as a citizen of Austria, even after I'd shown them all my ID!
The only difficulty was the written test, which contains a lot of konglishy wording and some very pedantic questioning. You need 12 out of 20 to pass. I only felt certain about 9 of my answers and ended up just scraping through. |
I had the same experience. I just passed. Those questions were wierd! The Korean-American woman who did the test at the same time only got one wrong!! |
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sojukettle
Joined: 23 Aug 2005 Location: Not there, HERE!
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Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 3:28 pm Post subject: |
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I recently went for my Korean drivers licence and received it in around twenty minutes. ( Seongnam office - by World Cup Stadium in Seoul)
There is a girl there who speaks good english.
There was a sample form filled out in english for me to copy my details over, three photos required, a medical test ( basically the 'chicken dance'), read an eye chart, look at a colour blind test book and that was that.
The only snag was I have a New Zealand passport but I was using my Australian drivers licence. Took a bit of negotiating to get that combo accepted.
( I used my aussie licence rather than my kiwi one because it was easier to get that certified at the aussie embassy. For the kiwi one I had to send back to the MOT in NZ and get a acknowledgement from them that I actually had a licence and then go to the embassy here to get it certified locally) |
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I-am-me

Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Location: Hermit Kingdom
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Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 5:52 pm Post subject: |
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I just got my license a week ago in suwon. Fairly easy process. Take ARC and passport and 3 pics. 16000 won seems right. My boss took me to translate so was a lot easier. Took about total of an hour. Eye test, knee bends, color test, then the shocker......computer test!!!!! I actually got a 60%...the minimum for passing i think. Some of the questions were tricky. I didnt even know the speed limit in korea..hehe. The seat belt test and high beams questions were tricky. Just dont expect me to save your live with first aid..i think i got that one wrong!  |
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I-am-me

Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Location: Hermit Kingdom
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Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 5:54 pm Post subject: |
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I just got my license a week ago in suwon. Fairly easy process. Take ARC and passport and 3 pics. 16000 won seems right. My boss took me to translate so was a lot easier. Took about total of an hour. Eye test, knee bends, color test, then the shocker......computer test!!!!! I actually got a 60%...the minimum for passing i think. Some of the questions were tricky. I didnt even know the speed limit in korea..hehe. The seat belt and high beams questions were tricky. Just dont expect me to save your live with first aid..i think i got that one wrong!  |
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jacl
Joined: 31 Oct 2005
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Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 5:59 pm Post subject: |
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I-am-me wrote: |
I just got my license a week ago in suwon. Fairly easy process. Take ARC and passport and 3 pics. 16000 won seems right. My boss took me to translate so was a lot easier. Took about total of an hour. Eye test, knee bends, color test, then the shocker......computer test!!!!! I actually got a 60%...the minimum for passing i think. Some of the questions were tricky. I didnt even know the speed limit in korea..hehe. The seat belt and high beams questions were tricky. Just dont expect me to save your live with first aid..i think i got that one wrong!  |
Did you also need your country's driver's license? |
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