Korean Job Discussion Forums

[thomas pars]

Apparently now you have to go to the US embassy to get a notarization
to prove the validity of your US licence in order to trade it in for a
Korean licence. The fee is 50 bucks.

Is there any way around this?

Or am I stuck having to go to Seoul and wait to get a stamp on a
paper for 50 bucks.

[oskinny1]

If you have to do it, let us know what they did. Is it just a photocopy? I need to get a new license when I am home and would rather get it notarized there then waste a day or 2 and loads of money heading to Seoul.

[cpolian]

just got mine this week-
if you are a U.S. citizen, you must go to the US Embassy, bring your passport and US driver's license, and get the certificate. They just raised the fees, and as of yesterday, it is $50 ()
This took me about an hour and a half, with no appointment.

bring the certificate (original), US drivers license, passport, ARC, 2 passport sized photos, and 11,000 won to the driver license place.
This can take 30-60 mins.

fill out forms. take quick vision test. pay. finished. No written/driving tests.
When you leave the country and you want your U.S. driver license back, you must go to the office with a copy of your return flight ticket and turn in your Korean DL.

Your only other option is going the 'Korean' route, and you must take the writing and driving test, and also attend a 3 hour safety class. This route is a lot cheaper though and you do not need to turn in your U.S. drivers license.
UK citizens and some other countries do not need to get anything notarized.

[Lee Myung Bak]

Depends on how long you're planning to drive in Korea. If its temporary, get an International Drivers permit. Which is approved to drive with as a foreigner in Korea for a short period of time. AAA issues these for $15 and will send them abroad.

If you're looking to drive in Korea in the long term, there's no away around this I think. Oskinny1, basing on the information on the Korean DLA website, they will only accept a notarized certificate from the embassy.

[Milwaukiedave]

If anyone renews their license, please post whether or not the rules have changed for that. I have my license, but am worried down the line when I renew it I'll need to go to the US Embassy.

[movybuf]