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Writer's pictureZion Lee

How to get a driver’s license as a foreigner in Korea (#3 ON-ROAD DRIVING TEST)

Updated: Mar 9, 2023

Welcome to the final part of my "already-knows-how-to-drive-but-moved-to-Korea-and-need-a-drivers-license" journey!!

Here is what happens after booking your on-road driving test here:


 

STEP 1: PREPARE TO PRACTICE

There are 4 courses that will come up randomly for you during the test! A, B, C, and D.

They do give you a map with the course, but it is the most helpful for you to review everything through the available YouTube videos on the official channel here!

Course A TEST :

Course B TEST :

Course C TEST:

Course D TEST:

But be aware that the videos above are what the actual test will be like! AKA there are no tips or directions included in these videos.

I did find a channel with directions and tips which were SUPER helpful and ended up watching these 3 times over :)

Course A GUIDE:

Course B GUIDE:

Course C GUIDE:

Course D GUIDE:


 

STEP 2: ACTUAL PRACTICE

If you've reviewed the four courses, it's time to get behind the wheel!

Remember how I mentioned in Part 2 that I went to the Driving Zone Academy to learn tips and tricks for the course test? I paid for a 4 hour session and used 1.5 hours on my first lesson, and 30 minutes on my last practice before the exam. It was my goal to use the remaining 2 hours to learn and practice the on-road courses, BUT I didn't realize that each course takes about 20ish minutes :)

So I ended up purchasing an extra hour for ₩30,000. In total, I spent about ₩140,000 for the driving academy!

There's not much to explain about practicing because the teachers help you at the academy, but here are some places I lost points during the simulation:

-Changing lanes too quickly after turning on the signal (you have to wait 30~40 meters after signaling)

-Putting the gear on neutral EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. YOU'RE. STOPPED. AT. A. RED. LIGHT.

STEP 3: Test time!!

Once you feel ready, it's time for the test!

What you need:

-ID

-Application Paper

-You already paid for your test online so you don't need to pay on the day of! (₩25,000)




I arrived (again) an hour earlier than my test time, which was 1pm on a Friday.

Go upstairs to the second floor to get your stamp and number, then go back DOWN to the side alleyway that you went to to wait for your course driving test! Once it is time, the proctor will come and give you a rundown on how the test will proceed and which parts to be careful in. You give them your application and they call your name over the loudspeaker, and once you go outside, you're met with the proctor and one other person.



They have an extra person sitting in the back during the test who can witness that the proctor DID in fact take your test seriously!

Personal experience:

I was person B (waiting in the back) and person A was definitely a novice driver.. he stepped on the brakes way to quickly and I almost got carsick :( He was assigned COURSE C he biggest mistake was getting into the wrong lane when he was supposed to wait another block to make a u-turn... I'm not sure what his test outcome was because the lady took him back to the building once we returned. It was FINALLY my turn and I waited in the driver's seat and the proctor brought a person C to sit in the back. I was assigned COURSE B but I did pretty well..!! Just had to be VERY patient during the red lights... with my gear on neutral...!! Then surprise! Proctor tells me I have to watch person C take the test LOL So I watched this person (another novice driver) take the test and her hands were shaking the whole time I felt so bad :( She was assigned COURSE D and she ended up making a U-turn when she wasn't supposed to so she failed instantly and the proctor had to drive us back to the building.

*DRUMROLL PLEASE*

I PASSED WITH A 100!!!!!!!!!!


 

There is no step 4 because

I didn't bring my NEW photo that I wanted printed on my license LOL They told me to come back whenever with the photo and I would get my card on that day! I got my picture taken at a photo studio and just received it so I think I'll go sometime early next week to pick up my license and this whole journey will finally endddd

I guess there will be a part 4..?

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