Getting a Korean Driver’s License

I took the day off work to spend the day with my girlfriend, eat my annual birthday steak and purchase my beautiful new Samsung 22″ widescreen LCD TV/computer monitor. Also on the docket: Pay a visit to Cine de Chef at the Apgujong CGV (here’s a hint: It’s actually in the building BEHIND the CGV-which may or may not still be part of the CGV. I wasn’t totally clear on that) and get my Korean driver’s license, both of which I planned to write up tonight when I got home.

Unfortunately, Cine de Chef was a pain in the butt to find, plus they were sold out for the next three days straight (I remember seeing the place on TV briefly a couple days ago, so I suspect that’s why). I would have been glad to make a reservation if they would have ever picked up the phone when I called. Oh well; their loss. More than a little peeved, I stopped at Cold Stone Creamery for some birthday ice cream and headed off to the Korean version of the DMV.

Now that I’m thinking back on it, I could have easily gone to that place that serves breakfast that I’ve always wanted to check out. Dang.

Anyway, so I get to the KDMV and you know what? It was actually remarkably easy. I thought that I might have to do some pleading with them since my US license (you have to leave it with them) expires TODAY, but she just said that if I came tomorrow then they couldn’t do it. Basically the only thing you need to know is find the information desk and ask them where the foreign driver’s license desks are (desks for both Korea-issued int’l driver licenses and foreigners applying for driver’s licenses are right next to each other).

The people speak decent English and you’ll have to jump through a few hoops (fill out the application form in triplicate, go downstairs for the revenue stamp-just like the immi. office- go to a separate building for the physical test that’s no big deal at all if you’re not colorblind, but wear your glasses) and give up your old license (you can go back and swap the licenses back out whenever you need to). Come back an hour later and it’ll be ready for you.

Good news for fellow E-7 visa holders: No test of any kind required when you submit your old license!

For more details check out a helpful discussion on Dave’s, a discussion specifically about Korea-issued Int’l driver’s licenses and the English website for foreigners needing driver’s licenses.