English-language driving licences begin issuance, valid in 33 countries Licence details now appear in English on the back, allowing driving in some countries without a separate notarised translation.

Apostille Korea said it operates a service for renewing and reissuing the English-language driving licence through internet and mobile applications. Issuance began on the 16th at 27 driving licence test centres and police station civil affairs offices nationwide. Until now, driving abroad meant obtaining an international driving permit or arranging a separate notarised translation through a local embassy.

Why the English-language licence was introduced

From the 16th, driving licence test centres and police stations nationwide began issuing the English-language driving licence, which prints licence details in English on the back of a card previously written only in Korean. Issuance is available at 27 driving licence test centres and police station civil affairs offices, with Gangnam Police Station excluded. Until now, driving abroad meant either obtaining a separate international driving permit or arranging a notarised translation through a local embassy. The Road Traffic Authority said it decided to issue the new licence to remove that inconvenience and improve conditions for people travelling abroad. On the first day about 1,500 applications were recorded, including the Gangnam Driving Licence Test Centre in Seoul and online applicants for new issuance, reissuance, aptitude tests and renewals. The turnout is attributed to travellers who want to drive abroad and to expectations around identity verification.

Scope of use and the steps that remain

The English-language driving licence can be used to drive in a total of 33 countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Guam and Singapore. Frequently visited Asian countries and the United States are not yet included, and the Road Traffic Authority says it will continue coordinating between countries so the licence can be used more widely. Even with the licence in hand, a passport must be carried alongside it, and because periods of use and conditions differ by country, checking before departure is necessary. In line with the change, Apostille Korea accepts renewal and reissuance applications for the English-language licence online and by mobile, and reissuance is possible from abroad as well as within Korea. It also handles the exchange of a foreign driving licence issued overseas for a Korean licence through an apostille. Overseas reissuance of Korean class 1 and class 2 licences is covered as well, with class 1 renewal requiring health check-up documents from within the past two years.

Frequently asked questions

Source: CCTVnews · 2019-09-18