Taking a driving test in Korea

Was wondering if anyone knew if it was viable for foreigners to take a driving test here? And if so, how one goes about it? Thanks.

Re: Taking a driving test in Korea

If you have one from your home country, you can get one pretty easily.  Take that, translated into Korean, along with your Korean ID card and passport, to a drivers license office.  It's been a while, but the one I went to, which was like seven years ago, was around Sasang, I wanna say. 

You won't even take an actual test.  They'll check your vision, hearing and see if you're physically capable of operating a car.  That's all that was required when I went.

Or, if you're from the States or Canada, when you're back home, you can visit a AAA office and get an international driving permit for around 10 - 12 dollars.  You just carry it along with your drivers license from your home country and it will be valid in Korea.

Good luck.

Re: Taking a driving test in Korea

if you live in the south of busan or east of seo myeon, i'd suggest the nam gu office.  and further, if you don't have a valid license from state or province,  there is a short cut version to the korean drivers license, with 3hrs practice in hogwon, and i think 10 hours or somehting with licensed driver(minimum 2 years experience) and then you can take the test.

further, if you go in blind do not take your tests at the nam gu office, they are (understandbly) more accurate with errors. a hogwon test is easier.

i was in korea for so long, the validity of my cdn license was no longer good. i have to take a test if i ever should go back to canada. so i got a korean license instead, i tried the shortcut, but was unable to find a driver of 2 years experience to help. so i paid th 1 mil won ++ in  fees, took the computerized test, passed, took the defensive driving lecture (joke), physical(another lark), 30 hours of hogwon practice (in haeundae). then took the 2 required tests at the hogwon. and passed.

definately easier if you have a license already. and don't bother with international licenses, they're only good for a year.

 

Re: Taking a driving test in Korea

Actually, I sent a letter with my signature on it to my parents, asking AAA to send me a renewal, which they did.