Title
Apostille Korea Maps Out the Exchange Route for Foreign Driving Licences Under the Korea Road Traffic Authority's foreign licence exchange scheme, applicants take only an aptitude test if their licence comes from a recognised country, and a written test as well if it does not.
- Связанные страны
- 한국, 미국
Content
Apostille Korea said it has compiled the documents and steps required by drivers who want to exchange a licence obtained abroad for a Korean driving licence. A foreign licence on its own does not permit driving in Korea, but a holder of a licence issued by a competent foreign authority may apply for an exchange. The application calls for five to six documents, including the original passport and the original foreign licence.
- The Korea Road Traffic Authority operates a foreign licence exchange scheme that converts a valid licence issued abroad into a Korean licence.
- A foreign licence alone does not allow driving in Korea, so an exchange application is required.
- Licences from countries recognised by Korea require only an aptitude test, while licences from non-recognised countries also require a written test.
- The Korea Road Traffic Authority lists around 140 countries across Asia, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa as recognised.
Why the full testing process can be skipped
Obtaining a Korean driving licence from scratch means passing an aptitude test, a written test and a practical test in sequence. For someone who already holds a licence earned abroad and has since moved to Korea, repeating that sequence from the beginning is a heavy burden. The Korea Road Traffic Authority introduced the foreign licence exchange scheme to reduce exactly that inconvenience. Its driving licence service states that a licence issued abroad does not by itself permit driving in Korea, while also advising that a holder of a licence issued by a competent foreign authority may apply, through the proper procedure, to have it exchanged for a Korean licence. Users returning to Korea after work or study abroad continue to use the scheme instead of starting the licensing process over.
Check recognition status and paperwork first
Anyone considering the scheme should first check whether the country that issued the licence is recognised by Korea. A licence from a recognised country requires only the aptitude test, that is, a physical examination, while a licence from a non-recognised country requires a written test in addition to the aptitude test. The Korea Road Traffic Authority website lists around 140 countries across Asia, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa as recognised. Once recognition is confirmed, applicants must prepare five to six documents, including the original passport and the original foreign licence. The hardest of these to obtain is the embassy confirmation letter for the licence, a document proving that the licence was lawfully issued in that country. Apostille Korea handles that confirmation letter and the related overseas authentication steps on the applicant's behalf.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive in Korea straight away with a licence issued abroad?
No. The Korea Road Traffic Authority states that a licence issued abroad does not by itself permit driving in Korea. You must apply to exchange it for a Korean licence.
Is the written test always required for an exchange?
If your licence was issued by a country recognised by Korea, only the aptitude test applies. A licence from a non-recognised country requires the written test in addition to the aptitude test.
Which documents does the exchange application require?
Five to six documents are required, including the original passport and the original foreign licence. The embassy confirmation letter for the licence is generally the hardest of them to obtain.
Source: 공감신문 · 2017-06-16