Title
Holiday road trips are rising, but a lost international driving permit needs its own plan At home the permit is issued easily at a police station, yet losing it abroad leaves only two options: fly back or appoint a proxy.
- Связанные страны
- 한국
Content
Apostille Korea said it has built a service that lets travellers abroad have an international driving permit reissued at the same speed as in Korea, without flying home. Ahead of the long holiday in October, interest in the permit has grown along with plans for rental car trips overseas.
- According to the Korea Road Traffic Authority, the international driving permit is valid for one year and is recognised in any country party to the relevant international conventions.
- In Korea the permit is issued at a police station or other issuing office with simple paperwork, and either the holder or a proxy may apply.
- If the permit is lost or stolen abroad, the only routes are returning to Korea in person or appointing a proxy at home, which inevitably adds days.
- Apostille Korea operates a service that handles reissue from abroad at the same pace as a domestic application.
Easy to obtain at home, difficult from abroad
With the long holiday in October approaching, overseas travel plans are increasing and so are questions about the international driving permit needed for rental car trips. According to the Korea Road Traffic Authority, the permit is a driving licence valid for one year that is recognised in any country party to the relevant international conventions. Applying in Korea is straightforward: the applicant brings simple paperwork to a police station or another issuing office, and a proxy may apply on their behalf. The real difficulty arises abroad. Short-term travellers who have already reserved a rental car, and business travellers who commute by car, face mounting pressure with every day that passes after the permit is lost or stolen.
The two routes available from overseas
Someone who needs a replacement permit while abroad chooses between applying in person and applying through a proxy. The first route means returning to Korea immediately to have the document reissued. Given that most people applying from abroad are travelling or on a business trip, this is rarely a realistic choice. The second route, using a proxy, runs into the problem of drawing up a power of attorney and dealing with an unfamiliar administrative process, so additional days have to be accepted. Apostille Korea said it built a system to close that gap, allowing the document to be issued from abroad as quickly as it would be at home. The aim is to reduce the number of people left stranded by a lost or stolen permit.
Frequently asked questions
How long is an international driving permit valid?
One year. It is recognised in any country party to the relevant international conventions.
Can it be reissued abroad without returning to Korea?
In principle the holder must return in person or appoint a proxy in Korea. Using an agency service allows the process to be completed without flying back.
Why does applying through a proxy take longer?
A power of attorney has to be drawn up and the administrative process is unfamiliar, so extra days are required.
Source: 전자신문 · 2017-07-12