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NSMatt
Joined: 29 Dec 2008
Location: London
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 Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 9:53 pm Post subject: International Drivers Permit to use Korean DL overseas? |
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Hi All
Im wondering if anyone has any experience getting an International Drivers Permit issued for their Korean licence? I saw an earlier post on this but it was about 2 years old.
My licence from home is about to expire and thus I will be obtaining a Korean DL. Im also planning on getting a motorcycle licence, via moto hagwon or maybe the DLA directly.
I want to me able to use the Korean drivers/moto licence to drive in Australia.
Most countries ask for either an IDP or for your licence to be in English. Australia wants the IDP but the info I've found says Korea will only issue it to accompany their DL I've you've been in the country for 3 years or more.
Am I stuck between a rock and a hard place? Ive been planning a fantastic bike trip across Aus and I feel like Im going to get screwed because Korea wont issue an IDP for my domestic licence.
Are the moto/car classifications in English on the Korean DL or is it all in hangeul? |
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byrddogs
Joined: 19 Jun 2009
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:03 pm Post subject: |
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if you are on an e-2, then yes korea will issue you an international permit after 3 years licensed in-country minimum (no exceptions). other visas have less strict qualifications. i got my idp after watching the dmv clerk literally calculate my visa entrance/exit dates for korea (she was still reluctant)  .
Last edited by byrddogs on Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:20 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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NSMatt
Joined: 29 Dec 2008
Location: London
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| Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:19 pm Post subject: |
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So I'm basically SOL for my Aussie trip unless the bike company will accept a translation of my DL instead of the IDP.
Grrrr...almost every other country issues these things through their national automobile associations. Of course Korea had to be different....
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wormholes101
Joined: 11 Mar 2003
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| Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:23 pm Post subject: |
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I used a Korean international drivers license in Malaysia a year ago without problem. They have English on them.
But yeah, unless you've been here a while (3years?) they won't given you one. Note that it is not how long you've had your license, but how long you have been here. I got the international permit just a few months after getting the Korean license.
Looks like you are a bit stuck? You may just have to renew your home license and get a international permit through home. Get your brother to go on an pretend to be you  |
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byrddogs
Joined: 19 Jun 2009
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:45 pm Post subject: |
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| wormholes101 wrote: |
| Note that it is not how long you've had your license, but how long you have been here. |
that is true. they look at your residency status; sorry for the misleading post before. |
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NSMatt
Joined: 29 Dec 2008
Location: London
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| Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 1:07 am Post subject: |
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| wormholes101 wrote: |
I used a Korean international drivers license in Malaysia a year ago without problem. They have English on them.
But yeah, unless you've been here a while (3years?) they won't given you one. Note that it is not how long you've had your license, but how long you have been here. I got the international permit just a few months after getting the Korean license.
Looks like you are a bit stuck? You may just have to renew your home license and get a international permit through home. Get your brother to go on an pretend to be you |
I've only been here for 8 months so it's a no go on the IDP due to the 3 year rule.
Can you guys tell me if the Korean DL has your car/bike classifications on the back or anywhere (in English)? I see this one on the net, but it doesn't have anything in English outside of the words Drivers Licence.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3Fnbazw-XvM/RzJ5mac1M3I/AAAAAAAAACM/XseTxel72Ek/s400/koreanlicense.jpg
Australia will allow an official or certified translation instead of the IDP, but the bike rental company might not. |
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wormholes101
Joined: 11 Mar 2003
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| Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 1:53 am Post subject: |
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| NSMatt wrote: |
Can you guys tell me if the Korean DL has your car/bike classifications on the back or anywhere (in English)? I see this one on the net, but it doesn't have anything in English outside of the words Drivers Licence.
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My Korean license only has Korean on it except for the words "Driver's license". But I don't have a bike license. Dunno if there is a different license for bikes or it's just an extra stamp? Maybe try the official Bike thread? |
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wormholes101
Joined: 11 Mar 2003
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