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shostahoosier
Joined: 14 Apr 2009
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 Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2013 2:00 am Post subject: Drivers license question |
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I'm an American citizen so my embassy here is useless.
I wanted to get a Korean drivers license but the apostille arrived in Korea after my American license expired.
Would it still be possible to swap my American license (with apostille) for a Korean one even though the license has expired? |
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Lazio
Joined: 15 Dec 2010
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| Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2013 2:30 am Post subject: |
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An ID that is expired is essentially the same as "never existed". No one will accept it.
Not sure about how things work with your home state but try to phone your DMV to see if there is a grace period. They might be able to extend your license with some penalty payment. Send down your parents to take care of it. |
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tob55
Joined: 29 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2013 10:20 am Post subject: |
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| To swap out your American DL you would have to have at least 6 months remaining on it before it expired. It is a seamless process, but you will have to go through the whole process here, i.e. test, safety training, course test, road test to obtain your K-license. You might want to see about getting your US driver's license renewed then go the easy route here. |
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spilot101
Joined: 05 Sep 2012
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| Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 8:26 pm Post subject: |
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| My American license is good to go for another year. How would I initiate the swap and what would be the "easy route" then, tob55 (or would I still have to go through the whole process as you outlined in the above post)? |
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tob55
Joined: 29 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 3:28 pm Post subject: |
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| spilot101 wrote: |
| My American license is good to go for another year. How would I initiate the swap and what would be the "easy route" then, tob55 (or would I still have to go through the whole process as you outlined in the above post)? |
The easy route simply allows you to take the written test and pass. Then you swap out your American DL for the time you are here. You will have to surrender it to the DL place when you get the Korean DL than get it back when you leave the country. Simple process and many of my friends have chosen this route rather than going through the whole process. simply go to the nearest DL office in your area and they should be able to help. S\Many of them have English speaking staff to help out these days. Good luck! |
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giraffe
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 9:35 pm Post subject: |
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tob55 is forgetting one important and annoying step that makes it not soo easy anymore.
YOu cant simply just trade your american license. You need to get your license apostilled FIRST. in the past you could just get that done at your american embassy but they dont offer that service anymore. You now have to send it back to your State department back in the USA to have it apostilled there.
I'd recommend just doing the korean license from scratch. If you already know how to drive it will take you 2-3 days to do and only cost 45kwon total ( cheaper and faster than sending your license back home and getting it apostilled and then trading it in..)
Doing it from scratch can technically be done in 1 full 8 hourd day if all the test line up and if your lucky but at minimum 2-3 days makes more sense.
I did mine last december from scratch. Basically 1 test a day .
Day 1 Safety vid, written test , physical exam , application. ( 3-4 hours including waiting time)
Day 2 Car funtions video , Car functions test ( 2 hour days including waiting time)
Day 3 Road Test video , Parallel parking test , Final Road Test ( 2 hours including having to sit in the car while others are doing their road test..)
But yeah if you do have your american license apostilled It'll be pretty easy to swith it to a korean one. If you dont you should consider just doing it from scratch if you dont want to wait until you get your license back from your state department .
good luck |
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CentralCali
Joined: 17 May 2007
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| Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 1:40 am Post subject: Re: Drivers license question |
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| shostahoosier wrote: |
| I'm an American citizen so my embassy here is useless. |
And why do you think it's useless? Perhaps you simply doesn't understand what an embassy does and doesn't do. |
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spilot101
Joined: 05 Sep 2012
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| Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 2:56 am Post subject: |
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| I imagine the tests are in Hangul? |
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giraffe
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 4:21 am Post subject: |
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| spilot101 wrote: |
| I imagine the tests are in Hangul? |
Nah.. Can all be done in english..
I mean.. the application process was in korean...
All the videos you need to watch will be in korean but they will have english subtitles.
The written test can be done in English ( and other languages if you want)
For the in car function test ( on the test course) Theres a gps screen that tells you what to do. Just ask them to switch it to english and the writing will all be in english on the screen. do what is says..
the road test. The instructor doesnt say anything. Theres a galaxy tab on his side that gives you english voice commands of what to do. " in 300 meters turn right" " in 100 meters turn right" " turn right now".
They basically spell out the tests for you. Just do as your told... |
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spilot101
Joined: 05 Sep 2012
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| Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 1:19 am Post subject: |
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| Cheers. Are there any decent online resources to brush up on Korean traffic rules you guys know of? |
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CentralCali
Joined: 17 May 2007
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| Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 2:19 am Post subject: |
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| spilot101 wrote: |
| Cheers. Are there any decent online resources to brush up on Korean traffic rules you guys know of? |
Go to your local Driver License Agency and pick up the nifty little book and DVD (both in English) they have for you to prepare for the test. |
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Drew345
Joined: 24 May 2005
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| Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 2:17 pm Post subject: |
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I've got a Korean license that expires next year.
When I go to renew it, am I going to have to turn in an appostilled US drivers license? Or is it easier since it is a renew situation.
They didn't even keep my US license when I got my Korean license 8 years ago or so; so that was nice. |
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Who's Your Daddy?
Joined: 30 May 2010
Location: Victoria, Canada.
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| Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 8:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Drew345 wrote: |
I've got a Korean license that expires next year.
When I go to renew it, am I going to have to turn in an appostilled US drivers license? Or is it easier since it is a renew situation.
They didn't even keep my US license when I got my Korean license 8 years ago or so; so that was nice. |
When you renew they want the old Korean license, a new picture, and about 10,000 won. They don't ask for anything else. |
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Drew345
Joined: 24 May 2005
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| Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 10:13 pm Post subject: |
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| That's very interesting. Actually I don't have a ARC now since I am coming for a 10 week Korean course and then leaving. Do you think I could renew my Korean driver's license without even an ARC? |
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