Driving Licenses, Korea

An International Driver’s License is as valid as a Korean driver’s license during the term of its validity – one year, no more. If the terms as expired, the driver should apply to have the license converted to a Korean license.

Converting your existing driver’s license to a Korean license is necessary if you are from a country that does not accept a Korean driver’s license. However, if your country recognizes Korean driver’s licenses you can driver in Korea without converting your license. Those who do need to convert will have to take a test and then produce the following documents:

1. A driver’s license issued in the country of the driver’s nationality, passport or alien registration card, seal (signature if possible ) and 3 photos each 3x4 inches.
2. The passport must prove that the person was in his or her country when he/she obtained the driver’s license.
3. Notary of a translation (except for English) of the person’s home country driver’s license and an Embassy confirmation letter (not needed if you obtained your license in the U.S., England, France, Canada, Germany, Japan, and Spain.)
4. If your driver’s license doesn’t indicate the date on which it was issued, you will have to obtain a certification letter providing that information.
5. Fees:
   Application fee W5,000
   Physical examination W5,000
6. The driver’s license test can be taken in English, Chinese, Japanese, German or French and is multiple choice with about 20 questions.You can prepare for it with English or Chinese books available at the Driver’s License Examination Offices. You will need to bring your driver’s license (from your own country).
   
   Acquiring a Korean License for those with no valid license involves the same procedure for a foreign resident as for a Korean citizen.
   - You must have lived in Korea for more than 6 months.
   - You must take the drivers test which is available in English, French, German, 
     Japanese and Chinese.
   - Application fee: W4,000.
   - Physical examination fee: W5,000.
   - Expiration date: 7 years (except for those 65 or older who must renew every 5 years)
   - Required documents: Passport or alien registration card and four photos
   (Note: If you undergo a physical at a hospital registered with the Driver’s License Agency,
   you can have an agent apply for a Korean driver’s license on your behalf . He/she just
   has to present the form attached to the physical results report and bring your ID).
   
   Re-issuance of a lost/damaged driver’s license is available at any of the 26 driver’s license test sites across the country or at the License Section of the National Police StationRequired documents:

 Re-issuance of a lost/damaged driver's license is available at any of the 26 driver's license test sites accross the country or at the License Section of a National Police Station.
Required documents:

For a lost license:

1. Alien registration card and passport picture for application
2. Picture required when applying for a temporary driver’s license at the police station
3. Alien registration card, passport or public official card required when picking up the license

  For a damaged license:

1. ID card and a passport picture required for application.
2. ID card, passport or public official card required when picking up the license Fee: W5,000Notes.
   You can drive for 20 days on a temporary driver’s license.
3. Whenever you change your address, you should take your driver’s license to the gu office so that the change can be recorded on it as well as on your alien registration car. Test Site – English translation is available at the Seoul site only:Tel 02-1577-1129 Fax: 02-374-0080 located in Gangnam
   

For information on motorcycle licenses, click on: http://www.korea4expats.com/article-motorcylce-license.html

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