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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