Site Search:
 
Speak Korean Now!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Driver's License in Korea?
Goto page 1, 2, 3  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> General Discussion Forum
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Bryan Fox



Joined: 28 Jan 2009

PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 10:54 pm    Post subject: Driver's License in Korea? Reply with quote

Wondering who knows about this out there, figuring at least a few readers may have cars...I am about to take a position in a small town which would definitely require me to get a vehicle. I'm not quite ready to die so I don't want to get a scooter. I've seen secondhand cars advertised cheaply on craigslist, but what concerns me is the driver's license itself. Can I just transfer my US license over somehow, or will I have to take the test in Korean? Is there a website that has English guidelines for driving in this country?

thanks in advance
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Scamps



Joined: 01 Feb 2008

PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Contact the Seoul Global Center, they will take you through the process step by step.
http://global.seoul.go.kr/global/view/living/liv05_02.jsp
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
djsmnc



Joined: 20 Jan 2003
Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

PostPosted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Take your US license, passport, ID, and a few photos. Pay silly fees, do an eye exam, take a computer test in Konglish, surrender your US license until you leave Korea, and VOILA! you have a license!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Yahoo Messenger
bluelake



Joined: 01 Dec 2005

PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 12:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

djsmnc wrote:
Take your US license, passport, ID, and a few photos. Pay silly fees, do an eye exam, take a computer test in Konglish, surrender your US license until you leave Korea, and VOILA! you have a license!


That last part is especially important, as the test is NOT easy. There are some questions that make absolutely no sense in English. There are some where there is more than one correct answer; you have to pick the correct one they were thinking about.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
ttompatz



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea

PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 1:25 am    Post subject: Re: Driver's License in Korea? Reply with quote

Bryan Fox wrote:
Wondering who knows about this out there, figuring at least a few readers may have cars...I am about to take a position in a small town which would definitely require me to get a vehicle. I'm not quite ready to die so I don't want to get a scooter. I've seen secondhand cars advertised cheaply on craigslist, but what concerns me is the driver's license itself. Can I just transfer my US license over somehow, or will I have to take the test in Korean? Is there a website that has English guidelines for driving in this country?

thanks in advance


http://www.dla.go.kr/ for the website with the information you seek. There IS an English website (look for the tab).

.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Emark



Joined: 10 May 2007
Location: duh, Korea?

PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 1:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I got my Korean D/L in 2004, so maybe the rules have changed since then.
All I did was show my Alberta D/L and passport. I didn't have my AIC at the time. I didn't 'surrender' my Alberta D/L either. After paying a small fee, taking a sight test, and waiting for 45 minutes while they created the license, they returned my Canadian license back to me with my new Korean one.
The funniest thing is, because I had no AI#, the license number read:
710625 5000000
Koreans looked at it and freaked out thinking it was fake. I still have colour copies of it.
Anyway, that's my story. I got mine done in Yongin. It was easy. I hope it still is.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Mr Crowley



Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Location: Suwon

PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 3:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have my Korean drivers license, and am going home in a few weeks for a visit. I have to take a copy of my plane ticket (itinarary sp?), and passport in order to get my US license back. Do I have to leave my Korean license to get my US license back ?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
supernaut



Joined: 04 Jan 2007
Location: Nova Scotia

PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 3:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

i just traded in my canadian license, paid silly fine and got my korean license, i didnt have to do a konglish test. That was in June last year.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
runthegauntlet



Joined: 02 Dec 2007
Location: the southlands.

PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 3:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

bluelake wrote:
djsmnc wrote:
Take your US license, passport, ID, and a few photos. Pay silly fees, do an eye exam, take a computer test in Konglish, surrender your US license until you leave Korea, and VOILA! you have a license!


That last part is especially important, as the test is NOT easy. There are some questions that make absolutely no sense in English. There are some where there is more than one correct answer; you have to pick the correct one they were thinking about.


I second this. One question away from failing my written test. Didn't know what the heck they were asking for one or two questions.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
CentralCali



Joined: 17 May 2007

PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 4:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

supernaut wrote:
i just traded in my canadian license, paid silly fine and got my korean license, i didnt have to do a konglish test. That was in June last year.


Testing requirement depends on your nationality. Canadians are not required to take the written exam if they have a current Canadian DL; however, we Americans must take the written exam.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
fustiancorduroy



Joined: 12 Jan 2007

PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 4:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

runthegauntlet wrote:
bluelake wrote:
djsmnc wrote:
Take your US license, passport, ID, and a few photos. Pay silly fees, do an eye exam, take a computer test in Konglish, surrender your US license until you leave K