Once you’ve decided to stay in Korea longer than a year, you might need more than just your alien registration card: you might need to get a Korean driver’s license. As Korean laws on motorbikes have also changed, it’s mandatory now to have a license to drive a motorbike regardless of size. It is wise to get a license, and the process is easier than it seems.

If you have a valid driver’s license back home, a Korean driver’s license card can be easily obtained by passing a simple physical exam or the physical exam with an aptitude test.

Applicants need to bring a driver’s license from their home country, a confirmation certificate from their embassy in Korea written in either English or Korean that proves the driver’s license is original, and a passport as well as an alien registration card and three color pictures.

Only a full license can be exchanged for a Korean driver’s license; a temporary license or a learner’s permit wouldn’t be acceptable. If applicants are from any of the nations posted on the following link, only an aptitude test is required to exchange for a Korean driver’s license.
http://dl.koroad.or.kr/htm/popup/english.html

If they’re from countries in which a Korean license is not valid, an aptitude test and a simple written test are required.

A foreign driver’s license is limited to Korean license class 2 regular but if issued by convention member nations including Belgium, Poland, Spain, or Italy it can be exchanged for a Korean license of the same class.

It takes around a week to get a Korean driver’s license from the day of application. In case of loss of a Korean driver’s license, it can be reissued within a day and within a week if applied through a police department.

To see branches of the Driver’s License Examination Office, please visit
http://dl.koroad.or.kr/english/04_intro/office.jsp

By Jessica Seoyoung Choi
Korea.net Staff Wrier

[Source : Korea.net]