Take the Driving Test or to Change?

Hiya,

I have a British Driver's licence and I am thinking whether I should take the test and get a new licence or just to exchange the old one. I am hoping to get a car.

There are few things I need to consider are:

1. Insurance cost: I have had my licence for quite many years but have only driven for 1 year in the UK. Probably can't proof that.

2. Cost of exchanging the licence: It costs about 70,000won more to exchange a licence plus whole loads of documents and time. I will need this certificate from the British Embassy which alone costs >80,000won.

3. The test: I think I'll need to apply in person, so I might as well take a test. I wonder if it is difficult though.

Anyone any ideas?

Cheers

Herb

Re: Take the Driving Test or to Change?

1. Insurance cost here is based on the age and value of the car plus age I think. Time driving is not taken into account as far as I know. If you are buying a cheapo car I wouldn't bother with much more than third party insurance. Remember there is no 100% blame in this country. If a big Equus or something similar crashes into you, you may still be held for 10% blame for just being on the road in the wrong place at the wrong time. If his car is a write off you could be paying 10% of whatever his car is worth! (I hope someone tells me I am incorrect on this, but I've heard it from so may different people I have no reason to doubt it.)

2. Did things change? When I got my license I just went to the local licensing center and handed over my British one and they gave me a Korean one there on the spot (well after a wait for a couple of hours). I didn't pay any fees or anything. If things have changed please let me know, as I need to get a replacement after losing my wallet.

3. If you decide to take the test I think the written part maybe in English, but the practical part you will require a Korean with you as instructions are given in Korean. I had a friend who learnt this the hard way and failed because he hadn't a clue what the guy was askign him to do!

Re: Take the Driving Test or to Change?

As for as insurasce goes once you get the license you are considered a first time driver. Doesnt matter that you far excede the driving ability of 100% of the locals. You pay like a 16 year old kid. I bought a 10 year old car with 225,000KM on it and paid 750,000 for my first year. Its a joke but thats the system, it goes down after that every year if you don't get any tickets or wrecks.This year it was about 600,000 for me. as for the licemse I handed my American license over took a test and paid like 30k and was done. It will be much better for you just to exchange  

Re: Take the Driving Test or to Change?

Man you guys are lucky, here in Vancouver, BC, basic insurance (third-party liability only) for someone with no driving experience (or if you can't prove you have x amount of years of experience), it's about $1500 a year.

Concerning the driving license though, when you wish to leave Korea, say, momentarily but you plan to spend quite some time overseas, can you swap back to your original license from your home issuing country? Or is it just better to get a Korean int'l driver's license?

Re: Take the Driving Test or to Change?

Unless things have changed in the past couple of yours, to get your original license back, just go the the driver's license office where you got your Korean license and show them your ticket (or e-ticket) out of the country, and they'll give your original license back to you.  You also keep the Korean license, so you'll still have it when you return to Korea.

Re: Take the Driving Test or to Change?

Oh really? I'm surprised they let you keep the Korean driver's license when they give you back your original one; I thought it was illegal to carry two driver's license (well at least it is here in Canada)