|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
cjj681
Joined: 03 Dec 2009
|
 Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 3:21 am Post subject: |
 |
|
| For Canadians, the process is different. I went to the Canadian Embassy, got a letter stating that mine was valid. I then went to the Gangnam Drivers Licensing Center. I filled out a form, did a physical test( which was really easy), gave them the forms I filled out, my passport to photocopy and the pictures I got taken at Homeplus. They took my old license, then 15 minutes later I had a Korean License. If you look for the website online you can avoid having to get the forms at the office. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Zyzyfer
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Location: who, what, where, when, why, how?
|
| Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 9:26 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| I have a different but related question. Anyone ever lost a license and obtained a replacement? I lost my wallet and both licenses were in it. The Korean one was good until 2014 but I got it out in Suji or something when I was living in Bundang. I don't really want to go all the way down there to get a new one. Is it possible to just go to an office in Seoul and request a replacement? |
I love to read the dating coworker threads and all, but seriously, can I ask this question on this board, or do I have to stick my thumb up my ass and hope for the best?
Probably the latter, I fear. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Milwaukiedave
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Location: Goseong
|
| Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 8:17 pm Post subject: Re: Obtaining a Korean Drivers License *NEW* |
|
|
| soohak wrote: |
| I can confirm this. I got my US license back immediately after I received my Korean one. When the agent handed me my new Korean license, I mentioned that I would be traveling to the states soon and showed her my round-trip ticket confirmation. I got my US license back on the spot and got to keep my Korean license. This was about 2.5 years ago, before the requirement for a notarized license was put in place. |
I had this same experience in July of 2009 when I was planning my trip back home. I asked them if they wanted my Korean license and they said no to hold on to it. Then I asked them if I needed to bring back my license from home and they said no. It was nice to have to only make one trip down there. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Lolimahro
Joined: 19 May 2009
|
| Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 4:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
So...no one had to get their original (foreign) license translated into Korean?
I found a couple websites claiming this was necessary (notably the Life in Gyeonggi-do webpage) but it's not on the DLA website or any recent posts about getting a driver's license I've happened to find.
Getting ready to start this whole process tomorrow and don't want to spend more money on it than I have to. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Dog Soldier
Joined: 29 Sep 2010
|
| Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 8:05 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Lolimahro wrote: |
So...no one had to get their original (foreign) license translated into Korean?
I found a couple websites claiming this was necessary (notably the Life in Gyeonggi-do webpage) but it's not on the DLA website or any recent posts about getting a driver's license I've happened to find.
Getting ready to start this whole process tomorrow and don't want to spend more money on it than I have to. |
I am a UK citizen so can only tell you from my perspective, which is I sent away my UK license to the embassy who will prepare a certificate at a cost of 84,000 won. Then I need to go down to the local license.drivers office thing (DVLA we would call it) and process it fro there.
Maybe it depends on your nationality. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Zyzyfer
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Location: who, what, where, when, why, how?
|
| Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 10:19 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Yeah, my question still stands. How would you go about replacing a license? Anybody actually come that far? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jvalmer
Joined: 06 Jun 2003
|
| Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 11:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
| yeti08 wrote: |
| Zyzyfer wrote: |
lol I remember some of the ridiculous questions. Some of the situations presented simply do not compute with what an American driver would consider while driving.
But in the past, around 2004, Canadians were not required to take the written test while Americans were. I know for certain because a Canadian bud went the same day as me (an American) and he was in and out, while I had to test. |
That makes me furious. |
These things are usually reciprocal. Koreans probably have to go through the same hoops in the US, so you have to go the through the same thing on their turf. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
seoulsteve
Joined: 03 Jul 2007
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2011 9:13 pm Post subject: Re: Obtaining a Korean Drivers License *NEW* |
|
|
| I'm thinking about trading in my license, but I'm going back to the states for a couple weeks in the winter. Will I have to get my license re-notarized? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nathanrutledge
Joined: 01 May 2008
Location: Marakesh
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2011 9:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Zyzyfer wrote: |
| Yeah, my question still stands. How would you go about replacing a license? Anybody actually come that far? |
Go to any place. It's the 21st century. Computers, telephones, connectivity. They can help you out at any place.
Lolimharo, you ONLY need to translate it to Korean if it's in a language other than English.
I just EARNED my Korean license the other day. I refuse to pay those thieves at the embassy 50 bucks for them to "authenticate" my license. I hate those ...... people.
Earning a Korean license is easy but be prepared for a day or two experience.
First, you watch an hour long safety video. It's not too bad, and it has English subtitles.
Next, you take the test on the computer - again, in English. The translations are not terrible, but some of them are really legal-ese and might trip you up. You need a 75% to pass. I passed with 79%. There was a question about "What's the best way to use the air conditioner?" and "What's the best way to check the oil?" As I've been driving for many years and have worked on cars for quite some time, I can tell you that NONE of the answers provided were correct. So, if you're not the best on actual traffic questions, you might be in trouble. But the OP's comments about not answering it like back home is wrong, IMO. The actual driving safety questions were pretty straightforward and the same as back home.
There is an eye test which is simple.
They'll ask you a bunch of health questions. If you cut them off and just say "Hey, I'm healthy," they'll just check every box and you're done.
Here is where it can turn into a multi-day ordeal. If you start off early in the morning and it's a slow day, you can get it all done in a single day. Myself, I went late the first day, so i had to come back the next day for the two tests.
You have to take a course test, and a road test. The course test is ridiculously simple. Turn on the wipers, turn them off, turn on the lights, turn on the highs, turn them off, use the left/right turn signal, turn them off. Drive forward - when you hear the bell, hit the brakes and use the emergency flashers. Start again, turn the corner, stop at the line.
The road test is equally easy. You go with an instructor and another driver and drive in traffic. Some stop lights, lane changes, a couple of turns, a u turn, and you're done. Switch places and the other driver takes you back. At the center again, you parallel park and you're finished.
All said and done, i think it cost me about 50,000 - which is less than getting the license notarized at the embassy. I did it this way to keep my money AND because I have a heavy motorcycle endorsement on my license - BUT, that WON'T transfer over if you just trade in your license. But, by getting the license myself, for an additional 6k, I took the motorcycle test and got that added to my K license. Also, they have different classes of licenses. For example, if you want to drive a manual transmission, you have to test on a manual transmission car. Trading in a license from overseas - you can only use an automatic transmission. If you want to drive anything over four tons GVW, you need a class 1. So if you want a large bongo truck, you can't do it on a traded license.
Most people reading this won't need anything other than the standard class 2 license - regular cars, automatic transmissions, motorcycles under 125 cc. But if you want a manual, or a truck, or a larger motorcycle, you need to do more than just trade it in. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mr. Peabody
Joined: 24 Sep 2010
Location: here
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2011 2:48 am Post subject: |
|
|
| nathanrutledge wrote: |
...if you want to drive a manual transmission, you have to test on a manual transmission car. Trading in a license from overseas - you can only use an automatic transmission.
|
Thanks for a very informative post. I had no idea I've been driving my standard transmission car illegally for the past 6 years. My Korean license expires next year, so I will try to sort it out then. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ntwrightsmom
Joined: 19 Oct 2007
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 1:12 am Post subject: Affidavit |
|
|
What should I write on that affidavit?
Or will they do that for me at the Embassy? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rendragmc
Joined: 21 May 2010
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 4:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| At the US Embassy they give you a sample affidavit and you just copy it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
