Title
Apostille Korea runs an agency package for international driving permit issuance and renewal The number of Koreans living abroad keeps growing, but the system for issuing and renewing civil documents has not kept pace, and the international driving permit is a prime example.
- Связанные страны
- 한국
Content
Apostille Korea says it operates an application and renewal package for the international driving permit, offering a document agency solution to individuals as well as companies, associations and organisations. Because the routes to reissuance from abroad are effectively limited, agency handling is regarded as the practical alternative.
- The number of Koreans staying abroad is rising, but the document issuance and renewal system has not kept up.
- The permit is issued at driving licence testing centres and police stations in Korea on presentation of a passport copy, a passport photo and the original licence.
- Once the one-year validity lapses, holders must choose between flying home, a proxy in Korea, or an agency.
- Apostille Korea runs the application and renewal package for individuals as well as companies, associations and organisations.
What the international driving permit is
The international driving permit is issued under the international convention on road traffic so that a person travelling abroad temporarily can drive at the destination. Applying in Korea requires a passport copy, a passport photo and the original driver's licence, and the permit is issued at driving licence testing centres and police stations nationwide. It is valid for one year, and during that period the holder can drive anywhere in the world by carrying the permit together with the Korean licence and a passport. The procedure inside Korea is relatively simple, but the short validity means the permit often expires while the holder is still abroad. As more Koreans take up residence overseas, more applicants find themselves in exactly that position.
Cost and time across the three routes
A Korean abroad who needs a reissue or renewal has three routes. The first is to fly home and apply in person, which is widely criticised as uneconomical once airfare and time away are counted. The second is to ask an acquaintance in Korea to apply as a proxy: the original licence has to be sent by international post, the proxy must obtain entry and exit records from the immigration office, visit a police station or testing centre, and then send the issued permit back overseas by EMS or similar. That sequence physically takes at least a week. The third is to use an agency, which carries a smaller burden of cost and time than the first two and is often assessed as the better alternative. Apostille Korea offers this route as a package that can be used not only by individuals but also by companies, associations and organisations.
Frequently asked questions
How long is an international driving permit valid?
One year. During that period the holder must carry the Korean driver's licence and passport alongside the permit in order to drive abroad.
What is required to apply inside Korea?
A passport copy, a passport photo and the original driver's licence. The permit is issued at driving licence testing centres and police stations nationwide.
What are the options if it expires while I am abroad?
Flying home, having an acquaintance in Korea apply as a proxy, or using an agency. The first two carry heavy cost and time burdens, so the agency route is seen as the alternative.
Source: 폴리뉴스 · 2017-03-02