If you haven't read Part 1 of the process (studying + taking the written test), CLICK HERE
By God's grace I was able to pass the written test..! But there were still TWO MORE mountains that I had to pass to get my driver's license.
The second mountain is probably the trickiest of them all: the course driving test (기능시험)!
I did mention in Part 1 that I have been driving for YEARS since I was 16 (got my license in the States like all the other high school kids lol) so I knew how to drive already. BUT after asking around, I learned that the course driving test was what drove people crazy.
Foreigners aren't able to book the WRITTEN test online, but it DOES work for the course exam! You can go here and reserve your date and time (₩22,000):
STEP 1: PRACTICE
I signed up for a driving academy LOL
Because this was a test, I needed a teacher to guide me through what the test will be like, and little tricks and tips on passing.
I visited the Driving Zone Academy (드라이빙존 운전면허 강남면허시험장 1호점) and initially purchased a 4 hour practice pass for ₩110,000!
Here is their website:
You don't work with a real car, but with a SIMULATION SYSTEM.
There were huge monitors and a car seat with all the gears -- I felt like I was in Avatar lol
My first lesson was 1.5 hours, and the teachers were SO KIND.
I told them that I did know how to drive, I just needed to learn how to pass the test.
They walked me through the test (which takes about 9 minutes):
Getting into the car
4 different questions about functioning the car (2 will come out on the test)
Headlights (turning on the lights, switching to high beam, turning them off)
Side lights (left or right!)
Switching gears (park - drive - park)
Windshield wipers
Starting the car (don't forget to turn on the left signal lights)
Going up the incline, stopping, then coming down under the speed limit
U-turn (don't step over the yellow line!)
T-parking (there were tips and tricks that they taught me that you can also find on YouTube-- comment below if you want me to explain them in English!)
Following the lights, stopping, and turning at the intersection
EMERGENCY STOP + LIGHTS (this is a random surprise so be ready to break and turn on the lights within 3 seconds)
Sudden speed increase then decrease
Turning on the right signal lights, slowing down, and finishing!
After the first lesson I had this confidence that as long as I can park without stepping over the line, I would pass. SO, I booked another 30 minutes just to practice this the evening before the actual exam! (BE AWARE: the simulation and monitors got me a bit car sick whenever I would make turns LOL but you do get used to it after a while..!)
STEP 2: TEST DAY
I booked my appointment for 1pm on a Friday, and arrived at the Gangnam Driver's License testing center (the same place I took the written exam) at noon. Because I signed up online, I just went upstairs to the second floor and walked up to the window (DON'T GET THE TICKET TO WAIT) and got my waiting number.
They then direct you downstairs and out to the waiting area. (+ it's also really cold, so if you go in the winter take your big, puffy coat and hand warmers)
When it is time for the test, a test proctor comes to check your application (the same piece of paper you should've kept from the written test) and your ID. Then, they explain the course. At this point you should've watched YouTube videos and practiced, so this is all information you know.
FINALLY the time has come. Everyone goes outside, crosses the street, then walks to the testing site.
STEP 3: THE ACTUAL TEST
You give your ID and application to another proctor. At this point the proctor saw I was a foreigner and asked me if I wanted to take the test in English, which I didn't know was an option. Since I had practiced in Korean, I said I'll just go ahead with Korean xD
ALSO, because I arrived an hour earlier, I was the first among 15~ other people lol
They told me which car to get into, and I took the test.
You follow the exact steps that you've been practicing. All you need to do is GET AT LEAST AN 80. But be careful not to cross over the yellow lanes, because it is -15 POINTS EVERY TIME!!!
The whole process is pretty unnerving because you have your car speaking to you REALLY LOUDLY, giving you directions, and every time someone messes up or fails, you can hear it on the testing site loudspeaker LOL
Storytime:
Everything was going smoothly until I passed the proctor who told me to go to parking space #6 and as I was so focused on not driving over the lane, I had accidentally passed the #6 parking spot. But hey, I'm an experienced driver, so CALM, COOL, AND COLLECTED, I reversed my car and parked successfully (jk I was actually sweating cold sweat because I thought I would go over the time limit).
At the end of the test, my car told me, "Congratulations, you passed," and the proctor came to get the car ready for the next person. I got my application paper with a 합격 (passed) stamp :) :) :) :) and went back to the original building.
STEP 4: WHAT TO DO AFTER THE COURSE TEST
Bring your ID and application paper and go to the second floor (again) to get your temporary license!!
What you need:
-ID
-Application
-₩4,000 for the temp license (it's literally just a sticker on your application)
The temp is so that you can practice with a real car for the *drumroll* ON-ROAD DRIVING TEST.
You can book your on-road driving test here:
Remember how I only used 2 of 4 hours on my practice pass at the driving academy..? Well, turns out the leftover time MUCH needed lol
At this point I've passed my on-road driving test too hehe So FOLLOW FOR PART 3!!!!!!!!!
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