Author Topic: International Driver's License (car, motorcycle) (Read 19246 times)

Ollie84 · « **Reply #40 on:** May 17, 2011, 01:42:15 PM »

The biggest difference, aside from driving on the other side, is U turning on intersections and driving right at a red light. It is legal here to drive right on a red light when there is no oncoming traffic or pedestrians in the way.

SUTIIVE · « **Reply #41 on:** May 17, 2011, 01:51:22 PM »

I've had a car here for a year already and have been using an international license. I'm a Brit but I am here on an Australian passport and I don't have the paper part of my Aussie license, which I thought might be a problem, so was hoping I could get around a whole load of crap by just being able to use my UK license.

Can anyone explain why the section on the website I specified does not include the US and Australia? The process people have mentioned here seems the same for them, so how does this section make us any different to the US?

I suspect you are all right, I will have to get it exchanged, but I am still puzzled by what this part of the website means for UK license holders.

I will still get my gf to call them up and check as it would be sweet if I could just use my UK license haha. Wishful thinking I imagine though.

Koenji · « **Reply #42 on:** May 17, 2011, 01:57:41 PM »

Quote from: Brit_1 on May 17, 2011, 12:38:12 PM

You can apply for an international driving licence from home. I'm not sure if you need to do a test or anything if you take your licence to be exchanged. You can easliy get hold of an international licence by contacting the RAC or AA.

I thought it was only valid if you are a tourist? if you have a working visa/resident in a country then you have to get the S.K license? (and the international one is not valid?). Not 100% sure though so could be wrong.

youlovetonyt · « **Reply #43 on:** May 25, 2011, 04:31:39 PM »

So my New Jersey driver's license expired a few months ago. I think it's way too late for me to renew by mail, so I was wondering if there was any way to get a drivers license while in Korea that would be valid in the USA.

I am visiting my home in August and would rather not waste a precious day at the DMV.

pania762011 · « **Reply #44 on:** May 25, 2011, 04:44:39 PM »

Oh Good topic. My Hawaiian Drivers license expired in Feb and I was wondering the same thing as you as i'm due to go to texas for summer vacation in august.

gangwon · « **Reply #45 on:** May 25, 2011, 04:50:47 PM »

I have a Korean drivers license and I called the license agency this morning and we can get and international license which will be valid for 1 year just the same as the ones from UK/USA etc. You need your Korean license, passport and a photo and they'll issue it on the spot.

If you don't have a Korean license then the easiest way to get one is to exchange your foreign one for a local one. You just do a quick medical costing about 10000 won, sign a form and give them some photos and your license and they print you a Korean one while you wait. The problem you may have though is I think your foreign license has to be valid, and if yours has expired they may not exchange it.

Have a look at http://www.dla.go.kr/english/index.jsp for info. There's also a pretty good thread on Korean driver's licenses on waygook. You'll find a link to it in the FAQ post.

Charlie

youlovetonyt · « **Reply #46 on:** May 25, 2011, 04:53:32 PM »

I just sent an e-mail to the NJ DMV. I have a feeling that I wont get any decent information from them though.

curds · « **Reply #47 on:** May 25, 2011, 05:12:51 PM »

Oh yes ditto!

I'm from South Africa (beginner driver) and I know the driving schools in Korea handle the issuing of drivers license I was just wondering how quickly you get the appointments for a learners and then drivers?

Halcyon · « **Reply #48 on:** June 01, 2011, 02:16:38 PM »

First, if you're going to exchange your driver's license from back home for a Korean one it needs to be notarized by your embassy. If it's expired your embassy won't notarize it unless they somehow manage to overlook the expiration date. I wouldn't count on it.

Second, if your license is valid/not expired and you've gotten it notarized then you can exchange it at a Driver's License Examination Center (DMV here) after a medical check and a written test. Yours isn't valid so proceed to the next point.^^

In order to get a license that will be valid back in the States, you'll have to obtain a Korean driver's license first and then exchange that for an international driver's license. If you do this keep the following in mind:

excerpt from http://www.dla.go.kr/english/02_news/news02.jsp:

Quote

* In many nations including the United States, a person driving with an international driver’s license must have Korean driver’s license and passport in possession. Otherwise, the person may be punished for unlicensed driving. The person needs to possess international driver’s license, Korean driver’s license and passport when driving.

It seems like that passage was written for Korean's travelling to the States with an international driver's license. Perhaps the part that reads "Korean driver's license and passport" means Korean driver's license and Korean passport. At any rate, I'm not sure if that applies to US citizens but I'd probably keep my Korean driver's license and passport on hand just in case.

The process doesn't take long to complete if you have the time. If my DMV weren't so far away I could have gotten my license in two days. Instead, because of the distance and my work schedule it took several weeks.

Overview:
1.Medical Check (before or after safety class)
2.Safety Class (1 hour)- watch a video about driver safety
3.Computer Test about traffic signs, driving, and Korean driving laws If you pass, then step 4.
4.Computerized Course Test- The course itself takes under 10 minutes to complete but you have 12. If you pass then step 5. If you fail then you have to wait at least three days to take the test again
5.Road Test w/ an instructor- pass the road test and you're the proud owner of a Korean driver's license. If you fail, then wait at least three days to take the test again.

In my case, I could have completed two out of the three criteria on one day but time wouldn't allow. To be honest, I got the impression that I was supposed to do something else, like study at a driver's academy or with an instructor for x number of hours, but the ladies at the DMV I went to didn't press the issue. Maybe it's just not required of foreigners.

mr sam teacher · « **Reply #49 on:** June 01, 2011, 02:54:42 PM »

Quote from: Halcyon on June 01, 2011, 02:16:38 PM

In order to get a license that will be valid back in the States, you'll have to obtain a Korean driver's license first and then exchange that for an international driver's license. If you do this keep the following in mind:

excerpt from http://www.dla.go.kr/english/02_news/news02.jsp:
Quote
* In many nations including the United States, a person driving with an international driver’s license must have Korean driver’s license and passport in possession. Otherwise, the person may be punished for unlicensed driving. The person needs to possess international driver’s license, Korean driver’s license and passport when driving.

It seems like that passage was written for Korean's travelling to the States with an international driver's license. Perhaps the part that reads "Korean driver's license and passport" means Korean driver's license and Korean passport. At any rate, I'm not sure if that applies to US citizens but I'd probably keep my Korean driver's license and passport on hand just in case.

As far as the international driving permit (IDP) goes, it IS NOT a separate stand-alone driver's license. It is merely translates and verifies your local driver's license. Thus, no matter where you are driving (outside of the area covered by your local license), you MUST carry both the local license and the IDP. So if you get a Korean license and an IDP, you have to carry both to drive in the USA regardless of your nationality.

jkim7609 · « **Reply #50 on:** June 01, 2011, 03:13:22 PM »

I am from teh states and I have an international license. Just go to a local AAA car insurance company and apply for one. you do not have to be a AAA member. Anyone can apply and get it. Its easy. You ahve to do it every year. Its a year contract.

Halcyon · « **Reply #51 on:** June 04, 2011, 10:16:08 AM »

Quote from: mr sam teacher on June 01, 2011, 02:54:42 PM

As far as the international driving permit (IDP) goes, it IS NOT a separate stand-alone driver's license. It is merely translates and verifies your local driver's license. Thus, no matter where you are driving (outside of the area covered by your local license), you MUST carry both the local license and the IDP. So if you get a Korean license and an IDP, you have to carry both to drive in the USA regardless of your nationality.

Thanks for the clarification mr sam teacher.

Then in the US it's definitely required that you carry your PASSPORT, FOREIGN DRIVER'S LICENSE, and IDP when driving.

I just wanted to emphasize that for anyone else who might come across this thread.

cat fud · « **Reply #52 on:** June 04, 2011, 01:14:35 PM »

Quote from: jkim7609 on June 01, 2011, 03:13:22 PM

I am from teh states and I have an international license. Just go to a local AAA car insurance company and apply for one. you do not have to be a AAA member. Anyone can apply and get it. Its easy. You ahve to do it every year. Its a year contract.

You can only use the IDP for one year anyway. If you are here longer you must get a Korean license. It's easy to do and has been discussed here before- search this site for information.

matthews_world · « **Reply #53 on:** June 04, 2011, 02:38:04 PM »

1. Visit or call your area DMV and ask when the written test times are.
2. Since driving etiquette and signage vary, study the driver's manual available in English and then take the English test - offered alongside the Korean one. If you are knowledgable about the driving laws here, take the written test the same day you visit.
3. If you have a prior license, you only need to take the written test as you have shown compentancy in your own country to operate a motor vehicle. If you have no previous license, they can issue you a learner's permit and here you will need test your driving skills. There are many driver's education centers around Korea that offer driver's training.
4. Upon obtaining your license in Korea, due to international regulations, you must surrender your current countries' license at the DMV and carry the Korean one when you drive.

KevinTeacher84 · « **Reply #54 on:** June 09, 2011, 11:59:24 AM »

Does anyone know if I will be able to take my Korean driver's license with me when I leave? I need it because me current driver's license has expired.

Chocolate Starfish · « **Reply #55 on:** June 09, 2011, 12:07:51 PM »

Arr! Is it International Talk Like a Pirate Day already?

Keep your Korean licence, but I don't think it will be valid in your home country.

Koradian · « **Reply #56 on:** June 09, 2011, 12:12:44 PM »

I was told at the DMV that if my Canadian drivers licence expires while I'm in Korea to bring my valid Korean licence in and they will renew my Canadian licence without having to take the tests again.

The.it.girl · « **Reply #57 on:** June 09, 2011, 12:14:22 PM »

Has anyone ever got there drivers licence in korea.. Not there international licence.. I do not hold a licence at all and was thinking of getting in while im here.. Is it possible? Do they having driving schools? what is the procedure?

KevinTeacher84 · « **Reply #58 on:** June 09, 2011, 12:25:23 PM »

Follow-up question....Would I be able to use my Korean driver's license to obtain a new United States drivers license? On the DMV website it says that I have to present a valid out-of-state driver's license, but I'm pretty sure that Korean drivers licenses are non-transferrable....
As for acquiring a Korean driver's license, its super simple provided you have a dreiver's license from your home state. I believe it was 15 questions in broken English but still relatively easy.

SamN · « **Reply #59 on:** June 09, 2011, 12:38:56 PM »

My Ontario driver's license expired in April. I checked the DOT website before I came to Korea (knowing my license would expire while I was here) and it said that you have 180 days after it expires to renew it without penalty. So if you'll be home within that time frame to renew, you shouldn't have a problem. I'm not sure what the other provinces rules about that are, but if you live in Ont. than you should be fine.

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Author Topic: International Driver's License (car, motorcycle) (Read 19246 times)

Ollie84

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