May 2019
Contents
While in Korea · Written by Min Yea-Ji Illustrated by Yuhaill
Driving
In her first spring spent in Korea,
Jessie plans to visit Jeju-do Island with Su-hyeon.
Because they want to drive throughout the island, they explore driving
options in Korea like car rental or sharing.
Can Jessie drive in Korea as a non-national?
Jessie: I saw fabulous photos of my friends who visited Jeju-do Island. How do Koreans usually get around on the island?
Su-hyeon: We use trains, buses or cars. For Jeju-do, I guess renting a car is convenient. But can a foreigner rent one? I¡¯ll call a car rental agency.
(Calling a car rental agency)
Agency staff: Hello. A foreigner can rent a car with the necessary documents. You need an international driving permit issued by a member country of the Geneva or Vienna conventions, as well as your driver¡¯s license from your home country and your passport. Pease make sure you have an international driving permit because we don¡¯t accept an international driver¡¯s license.
Su-hyeon: We use trains, buses or cars. For Jeju-do, I guess renting a car is convenient. But can a foreigner rent one? I¡¯ll call a car rental agency.
(Calling a car rental agency)
Agency staff: Hello. A foreigner can rent a car with the necessary documents. You need an international driving permit issued by a member country of the Geneva or Vienna conventions, as well as your driver¡¯s license from your home country and your passport. Pease make sure you have an international driving permit because we don¡¯t accept an international driver¡¯s license.
Jessie: Luckily, we had no problem renting a car. But many Koreans use car sharing services, right? That would be convenient so let¡¯s call a car sharing agency.
Car sharing agency staff: Hello. Sorry, but you need a Korean driver¡¯s license to use our car sharing service.
Su-hyeon: It seems foreigners aren¡¯t eligible for car sharing as it¡¯s not a face-to-face service. Certain car sharing companies in Korea, however, allow foreign residents to use their services if they have both Korean and international driver¡¯s licenses with a combined validity period of more than a year.
Jessie: Then what if I change my international driving permit to a Korean driver¡¯s license?
Su-hyeon: That¡¯s fine if you plan on staying in Korea for more than a year because the permit is valid for only one year after the date of your arrival. Let¡¯s contact the Seoul Global Center and the Korea Road Association (KRA).
Car sharing agency staff: Hello. Sorry, but you need a Korean driver¡¯s license to use our car sharing service.
Su-hyeon: It seems foreigners aren¡¯t eligible for car sharing as it¡¯s not a face-to-face service. Certain car sharing companies in Korea, however, allow foreign residents to use their services if they have both Korean and international driver¡¯s licenses with a combined validity period of more than a year.
Jessie: Then what if I change my international driving permit to a Korean driver¡¯s license?
Su-hyeon: That¡¯s fine if you plan on staying in Korea for more than a year because the permit is valid for only one year after the date of your arrival. Let¡¯s contact the Seoul Global Center and the Korea Road Association (KRA).
KRA staff: Do you have an alien registration card? If you¡¯ve been in Korea for more than 90 days, you can change your driver¡¯s license into a Korean one, and we will hold your license from your home country. When you show us a flight ticket back home, you can exchange your Korean license for your original one.
Su-hyeon: Ah, thank you. Can you briefly explain the procedure?
KRA staff: You need to visit your country¡¯s embassy in Korea to receive a certificate of your German license. Then go to an immigration office to receive your immigration and departure certificate. After that, submit your application for the driver¡¯s license exchange at a Seoul Global Center or the nearest testing center. A health checkup at a designated hospital is also needed. Finally, go to the testing center again to receive your Korean license.
Jessie: Ah, so no need to take a test?
Su-hyeon: Yes, it sounds a bit complicated but short. You need to bring your passport, German driver¡¯s license and international driving permit.
Su-hyeon: Ah, thank you. Can you briefly explain the procedure?
KRA staff: You need to visit your country¡¯s embassy in Korea to receive a certificate of your German license. Then go to an immigration office to receive your immigration and departure certificate. After that, submit your application for the driver¡¯s license exchange at a Seoul Global Center or the nearest testing center. A health checkup at a designated hospital is also needed. Finally, go to the testing center again to receive your Korean license.
Jessie: Ah, so no need to take a test?
Su-hyeon: Yes, it sounds a bit complicated but short. You need to bring your passport, German driver¡¯s license and international driving permit.
Jessie: Can I take the exam to get a Korean driver¡¯s license?
KRA staff: Sure. You¡¯ll undergo the same procedure whether you¡¯re Korean or not. The written exam is offered in Korean, English, Chinese or Vietnamese.
Su-hyeon: So foreigners can drive in Korea if they¡¯re qualified.
Jessie: Right. We can rent a car on Jeju-do Island. (Laughter) I should do that more often when traveling. How exciting!
Su-hyeon: I¡¯m so excited about the Jeju-do trip!
KRA staff: Sure. You¡¯ll undergo the same procedure whether you¡¯re Korean or not. The written exam is offered in Korean, English, Chinese or Vietnamese.
Su-hyeon: So foreigners can drive in Korea if they¡¯re qualified.
Jessie: Right. We can rent a car on Jeju-do Island. (Laughter) I should do that more often when traveling. How exciting!
Su-hyeon: I¡¯m so excited about the Jeju-do trip!
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