I started driving when I was 16, just like everyone else in New Jersey. Driver’s Ed class at school, passing the written test, yada yada.
But now TEN YEARS LATER, here I am watching YouTube videos on the driving test for the Korean driver's license :)
I think I'm a pretty good driver -- no accidents during all my road trips from Cleveland to Jersey, Chicago to Iowa, and Iowa to LA.
(except for that one time I got stuck in a ditch during one of the worst snow storms, but that's a story for another day.)
There are two ways to go about driving in Korea as a foreigner:
You can get your American license apostilled at your local post office (must be in one of these States, bring it to Korea, and EXCHANGE it for a Korean license. Yes, this means you need to GIVE your American license to the Korean government, and you'll get it back when you leave the country. This is what my dad did but I didn't want to just in case my ID got lost among millions of other documents.
You can study and take the driver's license test in Korea. You can find the step-by-step process here.
KOREAN GUIDE:
ENGLISH GUIDE:
*I applied for the Class 2 regular license (2종보통) which allows me to drive just a regular car (aka not trucks, motorcycles, etc)
HOW TO GET YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE IN KOREA:
(PSA: this is my personal experience so YES if there are other ways to go about this please feel free to share)
STEP 1: STUDY FOR THE WRITTEN TEST
You can take the written test in multiple languages. I'm fluent in Korean, but I decided to take the test in English. I went to the link below and downloaded the PDF with practice questions -- YES there are 1000 questions and YES I did look through every single one of them and YES only 40 questions were on the test, but it DID help! (It also boosted my confidence after I survived looking over all 1000 questions hehe)
PRACTICE PROBLEMS (ENGLISH + CHINESE + VIETNAMESE)
PRACTICE PROBLEMS (KOREAN)
I know there are also apps that can help you, but they were only available in Korean :(
Once you've studied and you feel like you're ready:
STEP 2: VISIT THE TESTING SITE (traffic safety education + health check + written test)
I live in Gangnam, so I went to the Gangnam testing center here.
(Warning: IT IS SO FREAKING COLD IN THE WINTER SO BUNDLE UP)
You need:
-A valid ID
Go to the 2nd floor window 13 and tell them you're here for the traffic safety education. They'll give you a numbered card and when it's time, you go into the room and sit at the desk that matches your number.
Unfortunately for foreigners you can't reserve your education time slot, so you just gotta go and wait. But there are SO many open seats so I'm sure they won't kick you out!!!
The traffic safety education is an hour long tutorial video on how to drive. They really tried their best to make it interesting with actors but yes it can get boring. BUT DON'T FALL ASLEEP because your education session won't count and you'll have to go back the next day!!
At the end of the education they give you the actual application to take the written, course, on-road driving exams. *DO NOT LOSE THIS APPLICATION BECAUSE YOU'LL NEED IT UNTIL THE END OF THE PROCESS*
Here you need:
-A valid ID
-Recent photo taken in the past 6 months (this is NOT the picture that goes on your ID so I just went to the photo booth right there on the 2nd floor lol I think it cost 10,000 or 15,000 won??)
STEP 3: HEALTH CHECK!
Literally the easiest and quickest health check I've ever experience lol
Go downstairs to the basement with:
-A valid ID
-Completed application
-6,000 won
You just pay at the window, go into the room, pick up rice scooper ladles against your left eye, right eye, say a few letters on the screen, and she stamps your application, and you're done.
STEP 4: WRITTEN EXAM
You need:
-A valid ID
-Completed application
-10,000 won
Go BACK to the 2nd floor to sign up to take the written exam! The wait line might be long, so be prepared :(
After you're all checked in, you can take your time and go upstairs to the testing room!
It's a BIG and COLD computer lab room and you have to turn off your phones and smart watch when you walk in. You tell them which language you want to take it and they'll have that set up for your numbered desk.
The test was 40 questions on the monitor and you have to score at least a 60 to pass.
If you studied from the 1000 questions, you'll definitely see the SAME questions/answers :) :)
TBH all I remember from the exam was the room being incredibly cold.
Once you're done it tells you your score and your pass/fail results RIGHT AWAY!!
Luckily I passed on the first try and got my stamp (of approval) :)
STEP 5: SIGN UP FOR THE COURSE DRIVING EXAM (기능시험)
You can do this online, even as a foreigner!!
You need:
-Your name and whatever valid number you use on your ID
-10,000 won
Here is the link to sign up:
FOLLOW FOR A PART 2 ON HOW I PRACTICED AND PASSED MY COURSE DRIVING EXAM!
Here is a link that tells you which states' licenses reciprocity agreements with Korea.
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