Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cj1976]

I realise I might get flamed for not trawling through previous posts, but I just need a couple of quick answers. How can I an international driving license over here? And could I use it to drive in Hawaii?
Let me just add that I have a British license, but I don't hold a Korean license.
Thanks

[T-J]

First, there is no such thing as an international driver's license.

You may obtain an international driving permit that supplements your license for driving in countries other than the country that issued your license.

You asked about driving in Hawaii so I'm assuming you don't have a U.S. license.

If you have a Korean license, permits are easy to obtain.

If you hold a license from a third country you must obtain your permit from that country.

If you hold no license you must get one first and then apply for an international permit.

[cj1976]

[b-class rambler]

It's not the UK "authorities" that you need to contact to get your IDP. You get it from either a main post office, the AA or the RAC.

At the post office you can only apply in person, but the AA or RAC will accept postal applications. All you have to do is send a photocopy of your UK licence, passport photos and the application form and Bob's your uncle.

It doesn't take long. Although you can pay an extra fee for them to express mail the IDP to an overseas address, if you just pay the standard fee for sending it overseas you'll still get it within a couple of weeks, in my experience.

http://www.theaa.com/getaway/idp/motidp002.html

Incidentally, you won't be able to drive legally in Korea with your IDP. Because you've been here more than a year, you need a Korean licence (easy to get if you have a UK one) to drive here.

[giraffe]

if you have a valid UK license...

Just switch it to a korean one . ( youll need tomake a trip to your embassy in seoul to get an affidivit signed . you need to pay forthis). then go to the DLA and fill out the paperwork. YOu might have to watch safety vid/ do a 20 question written test / eye exam ( you might not have to do this. I dont know if you have to do this with a UK license or not.. some other countries have to do this). You will need passport pictures a a bit of money ( probably less than 10kwon).

After that apply for an IDL with your korean one at the DLA...

OR

apply for a korean license from scratch. IF you already know how to drive this can take 1-2 days to do. Its easy and cheap. oddly enough this Will cost you about the same amount of money as the above way ( switching the license) so some people just do it from scratch to save them a trip to the embasy.... Then apply for IDL at th DLA with your korean license.

i just did mine from scratch a couple of weeks back... it was really easy to do. took me 1.5 days to do . Total cost was 45kwon or so...

[b-class rambler]

Switching to a Korean licence would be a good idea - in fact the only sensible option - IF the OP drives/intends to drive in Korea.

But if not, and if he only wants the IDP to drive in Hawaii or elsewhere outside of Korea, then he doesn't need a Korean licence and getting the UK licence based IDP makes just as much sense.

[cj1976]

[giraffe]

[b-class rambler]

[giraffe]

[daeguowl]

If you're a tourist above a certain age, I think you can use your UK without even requiring an IDP (although some hire shops may be pedantic). Given the nature of the USA, that may vary from state to state, but google probably has the answer.

[b-class rambler]

[cj1976]