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r.
Joined: 06 May 2006
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 Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 7:14 pm Post subject: Driver's license problem |
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A great school wants to hire me, but they are hesitant because they require an international driver's license (part of the job will be driving their cars to teach at different companies) before they hire me. My license from my home country is expired, and I can't get it renewed unless I go there in person. I've read that I can get a Korean driver's license and parlay that into an international driver's license easily, but I don't have an ARC right now because I'm in between E2 visas. I presume I need an ARC to get a driver's license. Correct?
Do I have any viable options? Is there anyway to get an international driver's license in Korea without a license from Korea or my native country?
Last edited by r. on Sat Sep 29, 2007 7:52 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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CGully
Joined: 23 Aug 2005
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| Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 7:43 pm Post subject: |
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I recently went to get a Korean license, for which I needed to bring in my passport, ARC, and Canadian license. I'd imagine if you have no current license of any kind, you'll likely have to take a test to get a Korean one, and then apply separately for the Int'l license.
But for real information, here's the link:
http://www.dla.go.kr/english/index.jsp
The office in Seoul is near World Cup Stadium. Virtually no English is spoken by any of the staff, so if you can't speak Korean, go with a friend or make sure you know everything you need before you go. Also note that they are open on Saturday from 9-12 in the morning, assuming you work during the week.
-CGully |
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r.
Joined: 06 May 2006
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| Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 7:49 pm Post subject: |
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| CGully wrote: |
I recently went to get a Korean license, for which I needed to bring in my passport, ARC, and Canadian license. I'd imagine if you have no current license of any kind, you'll likely have to take a test to get a Korean one, and then apply separately for the Int'l license.
But for real information, here's the link:
http://www.dla.go.kr/english/index.jsp
The office in Seoul is near World Cup Stadium. Virtually no English is spoken by any of the staff, so if you can't speak Korean, go with a friend or make sure you know everything you need before you go. Also note that they are open on Saturday from 9-12 in the morning, assuming you work during the week.
-CGully |
Yeah, immigration took my ARC when my E2 expired. I could muster a photocopy of my last ARC, but I have a feeling that won't be sufficient. |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 7:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Unless you have a special visa or have lived in Korea for 3 years, you can't get an Intl. license in Korea, only from your home country. If you get a Korean license, you can drive in Korea and don't need an Intl. one. |
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bassexpander
Joined: 13 Sep 2007
Location: Someplace you'd rather be.
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| Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 8:39 pm Post subject: |
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| First try to see if they even notice yours is expired. They might not. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 8:43 pm Post subject: Re: Driver's license problem |
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| r. wrote: |
A great school wants to hire me, but they are hesitant because they require an international driver's license (part of the job will be driving their cars to teach at different companies) before they hire me. My license from my home country is expired, and I can't get it renewed unless I go there in person. I've read that I can get a Korean driver's license and parlay that into an international driver's license easily, but I don't have an ARC right now because I'm in between E2 visas. I presume I need an ARC to get a driver's license. Correct?
Do I have any viable options? Is there anyway to get an international driver's license in Korea without a license from Korea or my native country? |
They are asking for an IDP because they assume you do NOT have a Korean licence. Go get a Korean one and the problem is solved.
Yes, you will need an ARC. It takes about 1 afternoon to get it all done. They may accept your expired foreign licence to let you skip the driving test.
Ask your potential employer if they will consider this option - get the job, get your ARC, get your Korean licence.
The only other option is go home and get your licence renewed and then get an IDP from home. Probably not realistic.
You also realize that traveling to company sites (off-site from your employers physical location) for teaching with an E2 is illegal. (caveat - unless EACH site is approved and added to your ARC).
There also seems to be some confusion on your part as to what an "international licence" is.
Your "international" drivers licence is nothing more than a paper booklet with your personal information, your photo and your licence information from your home country translated into multiple languages.
It is NOT a separate licence and is NOT valid without the original licence it is matched to.
No valid licence at home = no international licence. If you get a licence here it would be a Korean licence and would negate the need for an "international" one while you are driving in Korea.
.
Last edited by ttompatz on Sun Sep 30, 2007 12:15 am; edited 1 time in total |
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SuperHero
Joined: 10 Dec 2003
Location: Superhero Hideout
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| Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 11:58 pm Post subject: |
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| if you get a Korean drivers license why would you need an international license. Also teaching at different locations on an E2 is illegal unless each location has been approved by immigration. |
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yingwenlaoshi
Joined: 12 Feb 2007
Location: ... location, location!
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| Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 1:09 am Post subject: |
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| I remember hearing something about if your license has expired, but not more than two years, you can simply exchange it for a valid Korean license. |
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aphase
Joined: 27 Apr 2006
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| Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 10:16 am Post subject: |
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| yingwenlaoshi wrote: |
| I remember hearing something about if your license has expired, but not more than two years, you can simply exchange it for a valid Korean license. |
Not true, I think thats only if you have a korean license that expired. I took my US drivers license that was expired after 5 months and they wouldn't accept it. |
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yingwenlaoshi
Joined: 12 Feb 2007
Location: ... location, location!
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| Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 10:22 am Post subject: |
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| aphase wrote: |
| yingwenlaoshi wrote: |
| I remember hearing something about if your license has expired, but not more than two years, you can simply exchange it for a valid Korean license. |
Not true, I think thats only if you have a korean license that expired. I took my US drivers license that was expired after 5 months and they wouldn't accept it. |
I wasn't sure. Just thought it might be worth looking into. |
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contrarian
Joined: 20 Jan 2007
Location: Nearly in NK
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| Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 4:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Give it a try with your expired license. |
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