A guide to getting a car driver’s license in Korea easily

Do you want to drive a car but don’t know how? Don’t worry. In this article, I will tell you the process and tips for getting a car driver’s license in Korea. A car driver’s license is divided into two types: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 is a license that allows you to drive large vehicles or buses, and type 2 is a license that allows you to drive ordinary passenger cars or small cargo trucks. Most people get a type 2 license, and I will explain about the type 2 license in this article.

To get a car driver’s license in Korea, you have to take the following tests in order.

1. Traffic safety education
2. Physical examination
3. Written test
4. Practical test
5. Road test

Shall we take a closer look at each test?

1. Traffic safety education

Traffic safety education is the first step to getting a car driver’s license in Korea. Traffic safety education is a one-hour education conducted by the Road Traffic Authority, where you learn basic rules and safety tips related to driving. Traffic safety education is free, and you can book online or register on site. You can book until 10 pm the night before the date you want on the Road Traffic Authority’s Integrated Driving Service website. When you complete traffic safety education, you will receive an application form, which you must attach a copy of your ID and a photo. The ID can be a resident registration card, driver’s license, passport, etc., and the photo must be a half-card size photo of 3cm x 4cm.

2. Physical examination

Physical examination is a process that tests your basic physical ability for driving a car in Korea. The physical examination consists of a vision test and an aptitude test. The vision test measures your eye sight, and the aptitude test evaluates your reaction speed, attention, spatial perception, etc. The physical examination is conducted at the license test center, and the cost is 6,000 won. If you have had a health checkup or a military physical examination conducted by the National Health Insurance Corporation within two years, you can skip the physical examination.

3. Written test

Written test is a test that evaluates your knowledge related to driving a car in Korea. The written test is done on a computer, and 40 questions are randomly selected from a total of 1,000 questions. The written test lasts for 40 minutes, and you pass if you score more than 60 points. To take the written test, you have to pay an application fee of 7,500 won. To prepare for the written test, it is good to take mock tests on the internet or on your smartphone. Mock tests are provided by the Road Traffic Authority website or Naver Driving License Mock Test service.

4. Practical test

Practical test is a test that evaluates your basic skills for driving a car in Korea. The practical test is conducted on a course set up at the test center, where you perform tasks such as operating the car’s driving device, crossing intersections, accelerating and decelerating, parking, etc. You pass the practical test if you score more than 80 points. To take the practical test, you have to pay an application fee of 18,500 won. If you pass the practical test, you will receive a practice license that allows you to practice driving on the road. You have to pay a fee of 4,000 won to get a practice license, and it is valid for one year. After getting a practice license, you have to attach a “driving practice” sign on the front and back of your car and practice driving on the road with an experienced driver. It is good to practice your basics in places where there are few people, and then practice repeatedly along the road test course of the test center.

5. Road test

Road test is a test that evaluates your ability to drive a car on real roads in Korea. The road test is conducted with two other applicants and an examiner in the car, and you pass if you score more than 70 points on one of the four courses randomly selected by the tablet. If you go off course or cause a dangerous situation that results in disqualification, the examiner will return you to the original position and start the next person’s test. To take the road test, you have to pay an application fee of 25,000 won.

In conclusion

We have looked at the process of getting a car driver’s license in Korea. Getting a car driver’s license in Korea is not difficult. You just have to prepare well for each test and take it carefully. Once you get a car driver’s license in Korea, you can drive freely to wherever you want. However, getting a car driver’s license in Korea does not mean that you are good at driving. Driving is about experience. Even after getting a car driver’s license in Korea, you should continue to practice driving, follow the traffic rules and safety tips, and do not forget to respect and care for other drivers. I hope this article was helpful to those who are preparing for a car driver’s license in Korea.