Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kiwioutofthenest]

I agree with Coporal, how can you take the cops seriously when they hold each others hands??
i ride a motorcycle with no licience and no helmet (yeah yeah whatever) and have never been pulled over, the red light just means look first.
ive been in a car when the cops had set up a speed trap but when they realised we were foreign they just waved us on cause they couldn't speak english. If i had a licience i suppose i would try and get a Korean one but as i don't i can't

[morequarky]

Where do you go to get one?

[dogshed]

I don't plan on being an over the road trucker but will my endorsements transfer?

I have a class A with MNPT and a restriction to wear glasses.

-Jeff

From the dot:

Classes of License:

The Federal standard requires States to issue a CDL to drivers according to the following license classifications:

Class A -- Any combination of vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Class B -- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR.

Class C -- Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is placarded for hazardous materials.

Endorsements and Restrictions:

Drivers who operate special types of CMVs also need to pass additional tests to obtain any of the following endorsements on their CDL:

* T - Double/Triple Trailers (Knowledge test only)
* P - Passenger (Knowledge and Skills Tests)
* N - Tank Vehicle (Knowledge Test only)
* H - Hazardous Materials (Knowledge Test only)
* X - Combination of Tank Vehicle and Hazardous Materials

If a driver either fails the air brake component of the general knowledge test or performs the skills test in a vehicle not equipped with air brakes, the driver is issued an air brake restriction, restricting the driver from operating a CMV equipped with air brakes.

[daz1979]

Just got mine today from the post office in the UK!!

�5 and a photograph so it cost me �8 for it!

[mattferrara]

I recently went through the process of obtaining my Korean driver�s license, and was frustrated with the lack of clear and up-to-date information online. There is a lot of outdated or erroneous information about licenses out there! In hopes of combating that, I'd like to share some info.

International Driver�s License

It is possible to obtain your international driver�s license while in Korea. However, only those who have been residents of the ROK for three or more years are eligible. The exception to this rule is if you are a resident of the country under one of the following visas: D-5, D-6, D-7, D-8, E-1, E-3, E-4, E-7, F-1, F-2, F-3, or F-4. If you have one of those visas, you can obtain your international driver's license regardless of how long you�ve been in the country. There is a catch, however. You must first get your Korean driver�s license before you can be issued an international license. Once you�ve gotten your Korean license, bring your passport, your alien registration card, your Korean license, one 4cm x 5cm photo, and 5,000 won to the DLA office (for directions, see �Korean Driver�s License� below). It takes about a half an hour to process, is valid for one year, and can be renewed in Korea.

Korean Driver�s License

If you have a valid driver�s license from your home country, you can exchange your license for a Korean license. The process can be fairly simple, or frustrating, depending on what country you hail from and how prepared you are. The information below should help with the latter.

Where Do I Get My License?

You need to go to the DLA office, located near the Coex Mall. Take the subway, Line 2, to Samseong Station. Leave the station via Exit #1 and you will see a sign directing you to the Kangnam DLA. It is about a 7-10 minute walk from the subway station. If you're worried about getting lost, here's the contact info:

Kangnam Driver's License Office
998-1 Daechi-dong, Kangnam-Gu
Seoul, Korea
Tel. 555-0743 or 555-0831

What Do I Need?

You need a driver�s license from your home country. Your license must not be expired, revoked, temporary, provisional, or solely for the operation of motorcycles. If your driver�s license is not in English you will need to have your license translated and notarized (contact your embassy for information on how to go about this). You need your passport, your alien registration card, and, unless you are from the U.S., Canada, France, the U.K., Spain, Germany, or Japan, you will also need an embassy certificate (contact your embassy for information). You also need three passport-sized photos. You can get these quickly and cheaply on your way to the DLA. Simply stop at one of the instant photo booths in Samseong Station. Just make sure you bring five 1,000 won notes to feed into the machine. It is preferable that your pictures don�t make you look like a serial killer, but I�m living proof that this is by no means mandatory. You�ll need some money for the various stamps and fees. Depending on which tests you�re required to take, it could cost you up to 14,000 won, provided you only need to take the written test once. Finally, you�re going to need patience. You�re going to have to bounce back and forth from one desk to another, and while the DLA staff tries their best to be helpful, their English language ability is fairly limited. If you know a little Korean, or have a Korean friend who does not mind helping you out, you�ll find it a lot easier. If you don�t, you�ll still get through it, just be humble and smile a lot.

What's the Process Like?

Once you walk into the DLA office, you�ll see a cashier desk on your right and an information desk on your left. Stop at the cashier desk first. You will need to buy a 5,000 won stamp for the application fee. If you are from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, or any country that is required to take the written test, you will also need to buy a 4,000 won stamp to cover the cost of the written test. Applicants from Canada, the U.K., Ireland, South Africa, and a number of other countries do not have to take the test. For a complete list of which nationalities are required to take the written test, visit http://www.dla.go.kr/eng/main.jsp.

Next, avoid the Information Desk, and instead go up to the second floor. There you will find the Foreign License desk. They�ll help you fill out your application. Have your license, your pictures, your alien registration card, your passport, and your stamps ready. Once it�s all filled out, you�ll be sent with your application to take your physical exam and your eye exam.

These are both done in the same office, which is located in a different building. Leave through the front door, look straight ahead, and you�ll see signs directing you to the examination room. It sounds a lot more terrifying than it really is. Upon entering, there is an information window. There you will need to pay 5,000 won in cash. This covers both exams. The eye exam for foreigners has numbers, and they understand what you�re saying if you answer in English. If you�re at all like me, the words �physical exam� cause a slight panic, but all you have to do is stand on a line, crouch down into a squatting position, and stand back up. That�s it. No urine samples, no �turn your head and cough.� Once you�ve crouched for the examiner, they sign and stamp your application and you head back up to the Foreign License desk. They then verify that you passed the exams. If you�re not required to take the written test, this is the last stop. They�ll tell you when you can pick up your license�usually within an hour�and you�re done.

If you must take the written test, you have to go upstairs to the fourth floor. Follow the signs for the �PC Test.� You�ll see a waiting room and, beyond that, a main testing area which consists of rows and rows of computers. Check in with either the proctor or the security guard. He or she will take your application and check your alien ID card or passport to verify your identity. You�ll then have to wait your turn for the test. Allow an hour for the wait. Depending on the time of day, there might be quite a few people in line for the test. Most likely, you�ll wait for about a half an hour. Don�t stray too far. When it�s your turn, the proctor may be unable to pronounce your name, and rather than risk embarrassment, he or she will send the security guard to look around for you and simply point at you to let you know you�re up.

The test consists of numerous multiple choice questions. You are given fifty minutes to complete the exam, but I can't imagine it ever taking anyone more than twenty minutes. I suppose it all depends on how fast one reads and how confusing the assortment of questions are. Yes, some of the questions are confusing, either due to translation issues or because of the difference in certain traffic laws. Some questions refer to how to properly administer first aid to motorists and the like, in other words, have little to do with actual driving. Most, however, are common-sense questions with which no experienced motorist should have a problem. �No, I most certainly do not jam on my brakes as hard as I can when I see a stalled car sitting on a wet highway late at night.�

If you�re looking for study material, you�re out of luck. There�s no study guide in English, nor is there one available online, even though the DLA claims to have English material downloadable from their website. Don�t sweat it, though. You only need a 60% on the test to pass. Even if you fail, you can retake the test by returning to the cashier on the first floor, buying another 4,000 won stamp, taking it to the Foreign License desk on the second floor, and returning to the fourth floor to wait in line again and retake the test.

Once you pass the test, the proctor will sign and stamp your application. Return to the Foreign License desk on the second floor and turn in your application. They�ll look it over, and let you know when you can pick up your license. Congratulations, you�re finished.

Hope that helps.

[KND]

[OiGirl]

[dogshed]

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1179.html#permits

http://www.drunkdrivingdefense.com/national/international-drivers-license.htm

[dogshed]

Here is a link on AAA. One of only two groups authorized by the state department to issue them.

I suppose it could be handy if you plan on visiting a country on the list. -Jeff

[dogshed]

It says you can get one by mail if you are not in the United States. -Jeff

[dogshed]

http://www.ouraaa.com/travel/other/idp/index.html

[Atassi]

[unplugged_boy]

[unplugged_boy]

[dogshed]