Getting a Driver’s License in Korea
So after realizing that I wanted to get my driver’s license in Korea, after not driving for 8+ years, I looked up the process and what was required. There is a way to exchange your license for a Korean one without taking the driving tests, but I couldn’t do that. My American license expired and to get it renewed, I’d have to go in person, and that wasn’t going to happen any time soon. Besides, I knew it would be good to have a license issued in Korea since I live here permanently and it’s just something I wanted for myself.
Part of the reason I put off getting my license for so long was because the process is long and difficult, so I was nervous about even getting started. My friend had a tough time getting hers, so I wanted to be prepared. The testing facility nearest me is actually a 30-minute drive and an hour-and-a-half bus ride, so I didn’t want to fail a test and have to waste too much time going back and forth.
I also didn’t want to go to a traditional driving school, because I already knew how to drive and didn’t want to pay that much money and have a fixed schedule of when I could practice. I just wanted to practice the skills test and road test to be able to memorize what to do because in Korea, the driving tests have a lot of strict rules and it’s very easy to fail.
Thankfully, I found a place near me called DdaDda License (따따면호). I live in Daejeon, so I went to their location in Gung-dong. They are pretty unique and it appealed to me right away. They have a big room with about eight simulation units - basically a real driver’s seat and console, attached to three big screens like an arcade game. The different tests and skills needed for the tests are on the computer system, and the instructors there taught me how to to the T-parking (backing into a tight spot, also maybe known as L-parking) and they taught me the rules for the course test and the road test.
I’ll admit, I had to pay quite a bit for that place, as well, but it was less expensive than going to a hagwon (driver’s ed school) and I knew in the long run, I’d be less nervous and feel more prepared by practicing on the simulation than just showing up and taking the test, which can add up if you fail and have to retake it. They have a flat fee where you can come in pretty much any time they are open and have a free unit for about 6 months. I kind of felt annoyed that I had to pay so much even though I planned to get my license a lot quicker than that.
However, I’m glad I did it, because I got to practice almost every day for about two hours a day for a week or so before I went to the testing facility. I used an app to learn the written test answers (운전면허 PLUS) and it was all in English, but I was still really nervous about the test. I failed my permit test the first time I took it when I was 15 trying to get my permit in the States, so I was having flashbacks.
I had to drop my son off at daycare an hour early and then catch a taxi, and I was still almost late to the 9:30am video they make you watch. It’s a one-hour long video on driving safety and information for the tests, but they only do it a few times a day and if you miss the 9:30am slot, you won’t have time to do the written test and course test in one day.
I did make it in time, though, and I was directed by the staff to the room where the video was. I had to give the woman my ID and register my fingerprint. Then, after the video was done, she gave us a slip of paper stating that we completed the info session, and we all took them down to the main office and filled out application forms. They require three pictures, and thankfully in Korea, you can have them done at a photo studio and make them look nice.
There was a photo studio near the simulation place, and I just walked in and told them I needed photos for a driver’s license. I did my makeup and hair and then the photographer had me sit and adjusted my hair (has to be behind the ears somewhat) and made sure my head wasn’t tilted, and then they did some light photoshopping. All very standard practice in Korea when it comes to ID photos. I was very happy and it’s the nicest ID photo I’ve ever had! The ones in the US are done the day you pass your driver’s test, and they ask you not to smile and only do one take. They always look horrible.
After paying and handing in my application and pictures, I did a quick eye exam and then was told where to go for the written test. It’s on a computer and they have Korean, English, and a few other languages. I was taken to a computer, the guy clicked the button for English, and I had an hour to answer 40 questions. You need 60 out of 100 points to pass, and I was so nervous during the whole thing. Some of the questions are about the amount of certain fines and it gets really hard to remember everything, but I had prepared a lot through the app. I got an 80, so I passed!
I felt so relieved, and ran back down to the office to register for the course/skills test. They had an opening for the one at 1pm, and it was 11:30am when I registered, so I had to sit around and wait. The testing facility is in the middle of nowhere, almost, so I couldn’t have left to eat or anything. I had some snacks with me and watched YouTube videos and tried not to freak out about the course test.
I had practiced a ton through the simulation, and had watched a lot of videos online about what it’s like, but the test consists of you sitting in a car alone with a computer system that deducts points if you do anything wrong. It also knows if you hit a line on the ground with your tire, so you have to stay firmly in the lanes. At the beginning, there is a part where the computer asks you to shift gears or turn on the wipers or lights, and you have to wait for the computer to stop talking before you can start, and you have to complete each task within 5 seconds. (There is actually a simulation at the driver’s test facility, and you can pay ₩5,000 for 15 minutes, although I think it’s only for the course test.)
If you’re curious which videos helped me understand the course better, here are a few:
Korean Driver's License Technical Course DETAILED Guide to Pass!
Course Test (with English subtitles)
JaelK - English Tutorial for Course Test
Video of a guy doing the course test in Korean (tips on getting 100 points)
When it was closer to 1pm, I made my way to the small waiting room with all the other test takers. We were given a short explanation of the course (only in Korean, although the audio inside the car can be in English and maybe a few other languages) and then given numbers which told us what order to go in. I was fourth in line. Three people were ahead of me, one at a time, with a few minutes in between each person. You had to show the instructor in the tower (who was watching everything) your face by pulling down your mask so she could confirm you with your ID.
I was told what car to get into and I adjusted my seat, mirrors, and put on my seatbelt and waited for the computer to talk. First, I had to start the engine and then I had to shift gears from Park to Neutral and back after the beep. Then I had to put on my headlights. The computer was in English for me, and she said something about upper lights, and I did what I had done in the simulation, but apparently I messed up because I got a 5 point deduction on that part.
I did the rest of the course (stopping on a ramp, turning, parking) without any problems and was so glad I had muscle memory from practicing on the simulation. I had been most worried about the parking spot, but the instructors taught me what to do and once I memorized that, it was a breeze. Right before the left turn in the course, I had to stop behind another test taker in front of me. They were going very slowly and I was afraid I’d run out of time by being stuck behind them. However, they were pulled over by an instructor (which means they failed) before the speed section.
Right after the speed section, all I had to do was turn on my right blinker and stop on the line at the end. I had 90 points left, meaning I passed! You need 80/100 and many deductions are worth 5 or 10 points. I’m not exactly sure how I lost the other five, but it didn’t matter anymore. The instructor came up to me and said, “Congratulations!” in English and I had to go pick up my ID and the paper that now had a stamp on it saying I passed. (Out of the three people in front of me, I know two of them failed, and I’m not sure about the other person. The failure rate is something like 70%.)
I was elated and ran back into the building with a huge smile on my face. I had to pay and make another reservation for the road test. They were all booked up until about a week and a half later. That’s why it’s impossible to get a license in one day in most cases - the process is long and everything is done in time slots that fill up quickly.
I left and went back to DdaDda a few more times before my road test date to learn the courses for that. The road test is where you and another test taker sit in the car with an instructor and you are randomly assigned a course out of four. You don’t have a gps, but there is an audio guide that tells you when to prepare to turn, etc. Thanks to the simulation, I had basically memorized Course D and was hoping for that one.
On the day of my road test, I arrived early and we had to watch a presentation about the test and then lined up according to number. I was first and paired with another woman who went in the same car as me. The instructor drove us to the start location, had me get into the driver’s seat, and then told me I would be doing Course D! I was really happy because I knew where to do all of the turns and was confident I could pass.
During the road test, there are two U-turns and a few left or right turns, and a few lane changes. In Tennessee, where I’m from, U-turns are illegal, so I never had to make them. But I had practiced on the simulation and it was pretty easy. I was also behind another guy doing his road test and he also had Course D, but he was in a truck doing the Type 1 license (I have Type 2 for regular vehicles).
I apparently made two mistakes, but I’m not sure what they were because I asked for the instructions to be in English but I should have done it in Korean, because at two points during the test, it said, “Beeper, beeper,” and I had no idea what that was supposed to mean, and I noticed I was marked off for it each time. Had it been in Korean, I might have known what that meant. I am pretty sure I did all my turn signals and everything correctly, and I stayed below the speed limit and turned when I was supposed to, so I did pretty well.
I got an 86 out of 100 (you need 70 points to pass) and the instructor asked me if I’d driven before, because he could tell I had. I was allowed to get out of the car and go directly to the office to get my license after that, while the other girl had to take her test after me. I stood in line and waited while a huge group of students from a driver’s ed place also waited to apply and take their written exams. I handed in my form that now had three stamps on it saying “passed” and I paid for my license and gave them one more picture.
The Korean driver’s license is recognized in 35 countries now, meaning I can take my license with me when I travel to places like Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Canada, and many more. They are adding others all the time, too. You have to pay about $2 extra when getting your license issued and they’ll put an English version on the back, and that’s what allows you to show it in other countries. It’s amazing! Much better than having to always get an international driver’s permit when traveling.
Now I’m so happy and relieved the whole thing is over and I have a physical driver’s license once again. It’s very shiny and has a good picture of me and can be used in lots of different countries! I’m glad I finally went through the process, but it was a lot of stressful steps involved and can be frustrating and confusing.
