Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mindmetoo]

Alright here's the deal for those who are moving home who have let their licenses expire. If your license has been expired for more than a year but less than 10 years, you need to do the written test and two road tests. However, the waiting times are waved. This is the new graduated licensing stuff. If you were a first time driver you'd have to wait like a couple years to get your final complete license.

However, if your DL has lapsed for more than 10 years, you're SOL. You need to do all the waiting stuff.

So basically went in March 6 and did my written test. Passed. Two wrong. They ask a lot of questions about the new graduated licensing thing now, making sure you know your restrictions. I guess when you're on a learners permit you're not allowed to drink. Go figure.

Then I scheduled the first road test. Got that for March 24. So about a two week+ wait. Alright did my road test and passed. Biatch marked me for taking a turn too wide but if I didn't I would have ran right over a hunk of ice in the road. Geez.

This has all cost me $150. Your written/FIRST road test are covered by the $150. Your highway test isn't covered and costs an extra $75.

I scheduled the second road test right after. Got that for April 10. Another good two weeks wait. This one I think they test your highway driving ability.

The new codes go:

g1: learner permit. You can't drive without a real driver next to you. Even with a real driver next to you you can't drive on the highway.

g2: Sissy driver. If you're a teen, you're now allowed to drive after midnight. If you're an adult, like moi, you can drive any time. You're also allowed to drive on the highway. The only restriction seems to be you're not allowed to drink and drive. And, oddly, you can't carry more passengers than there are seat belts. I'm not much of a drinker and I'd never carry more people than seat belts so I'm rather wondering what the advantage is of paying $75 for the full G. Which brings us to:

g: Yeah, I can drink and drive as long as I have a blood alcohol level under .08 (it was .06 in Washington state). And I guess I can accumulate more points before I get my license suspended.

So after shelling out $225 (plus about $16 if you want the new book).. However, you can read the new book online here:

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/handbook/index.shtml

It's really not all that easy to find.

So geez what's next? Well, my car has been in my sister's backyard for 4 years. New tires, new battery, new brake lines, LOF, flush 'n' fill. That's probably going to be $300.

Then there's insurance. Remember before you move, put those old insurance tabs you had aside so you can tell your new insurance guy years later who you dealt with and go back to the old rating (you did have a good rating, right?).

I'm thinking $800 - $1,000 for six months

Then we need to get the new plate. But wait. First you need to get the new emissions test. But wait. First you need to get a temporary permit to drive the car to the emissions place. So the temporary permit will run you about $15 for 10 days. Then the emissions test will probably be about $35. Alright all that we can go back to the license office and get the real plates and tags. That's another $200.

So we're back on the road for only $1,575!

A suggestion. I believe Korea lets Canadians exchange their Canadian drivers licenses for Korean. If you're planning to be in Korea longer than the life of your Canadian driver's license, then consider getting your Korean DL. This way when you go back, you can then actually exchange your Korean DL for an Ontario one without having to do any tests. Even if you never plan to drive in Korea, check into it.

The rules:

[JAWINSEOUL]

Great inforamtion for us Ontarions in Korea. I extended my licence right before I left Toronto and I think it may be worth trying to keep it from expiring.

Do you know if you will be considered a new driver by the insurance companies.? My main concern is having to pay huge insurance rates for not being a licenced driver in Ontario for a few years. I recall some garbage about being considered a new driver, regardless of past expericance, if your licence expires.

[canuckistan]

I HAD to exchange my Quebec license for a Colorado one--wouldn't let me keep both. They told me (as they punched a big, large hole in it) if I ever move back to Que I can hand in my Colorado one and get a Quebec license again without any tests or whatnot.

So it's worth keeping your license current if you're living in a place that has reciprocal agreements. Or just get an international license.

[mindmetoo]

[Beer Man]

Anybody have any experience with going back to Ontario (or anywhere) with a Korean drivers license and getting it exchanged for an Ontario one?

I drove a bit here in Korea, so I had to get a Korean drivers license (good until 2016, I'm amazed that any photo ID could be good for a 10 year period, but anyway). They took away my Ontario drivers license when they gave me my Korean one.

So anyway, when I get back to Ontario I'm going to go down to the drivers license place and hopefully exchange my Korean one for an Ontario one. God I hope it works out, I hate those damn driving tests.

[Newbie]

[mindmetoo]

Sorry small correction. If your license has expired from 1 - 3 years you simply need to do a vision test. If it's 3-10 years you need to do the written/road tests but no waiting time.

Going to hunt up insurance today. Stay tuned.

[mindmetoo]

Yes. I will now confirm if your DL expires you're going to be starting off at a 0 star rating. I had an 8 star rating when I left Canada (the best rating). A couple places quoted me pretty near $3000 a year and that was without collision/comprehensive and a rating of "pleasure driving". Mind you, this is on a 95 subcompact. I did call TD who have a group rate if you're a university grad. They quoted me $1700. Which is better than a kick in the teeth.

I think my rate would have been about $800 a year if I had an unbroken record with my current DL.

But then again, I've not paid a penny of Canadian tax in 8 years. How much have I saved there? Was it worth forking out an extra $1000 a year for insurance for the next 5 years? Hrm. Probably.

[peppermint]

[poet13]

SO do you have to write the test before make a driving appointment test? I'm planning on being in Ontario this summer, but for only two weeks all together.

[mindmetoo]

[Scarlet13]

[JAWINSEOUL]

[poet13]

Thanks mindmetoo. My hometown is really small, so there is a good chance of getting lucky like that.

[mindmetoo]