Planning to drive abroad? Obtaining an International Driving Permit (IDP) is often necessary. This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases for navigating the process of applying for an 국제 운전면허증 (guk-je un-jeon-myeon-heo-jeung) in Korea, whether at a police station or a driver’s license examination office.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 국제 운전면허증 신청하기
Pronunciation: guk-je un-jeon-myeon-heo-jeung sin-cheong-ha-gi
Meaning: Applying for an International Driving Permit
Essential Vocabulary
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Expression: 국제 운전면허증
Pronunciation: guk-je un-jeon-myeon-heo-jeung
Meaning: International Driving Permit (IDP) -
Expression: 신청서
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-seo
Meaning: Application form -
Expression: 여권
Pronunciation: yeo-gwon
Meaning: Passport -
Expression: 운전면허증
Pronunciation: un-jeon-myeon-heo-jeung
Meaning: Driver’s license (domestic) -
Expression: 사진
Pronunciation: sa-jin
Meaning: Photograph (passport-sized) -
Expression: 수수료
Pronunciation: su-su-ryo
Meaning: Fee, commission -
Expression: 발급
Pronunciation: bal-geup
Meaning: Issuance -
Expression: 경찰서
Pronunciation: gyeong-chal-seo
Meaning: Police station -
Expression: 운전면허시험장
Pronunciation: un-jeon-myeon-heo-si-heom-jang
Meaning: Driver’s license examination office -
Expression: 신분증
Pronunciation: sin-bun-jeung
Meaning: Identification card -
Expression: 유효 기간
Pronunciation: yu-hyo gi-gan
Meaning: Validity period -
Expression: 서류
Pronunciation: seo-ryu
Meaning: Documents
Application Process Phrases
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Expression: 국제 운전면허증을 신청하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: guk-je un-jeon-myeon-heo-jeung-eul sin-cheong-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to apply for an International Driving Permit. -
Expression: 신청서는 어디에서 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-seo-neun eo-di-e-seo ba-deul su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I get the application form? -
Expression: 신청서를 작성해 주세요.
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-seo-reul jak-seong-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please fill out the application form. -
Expression: 필요한 서류는 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: pil-yo-han seo-ryu-neun mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What documents are required? -
Expression: 여권이랑 운전면허증 여기 있습니다.
Pronunciation: yeo-gwon-i-rang un-jeon-myeon-heo-jeung yeo-gi it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Here are my passport and driver’s license. -
Expression: 사진도 필요해요?
Pronunciation: sa-jin-do pil-yo-hae-yo?
Meaning: Is a photograph also needed? -
Expression: 수수료는 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: su-su-ryo-neun eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is the fee? -
Expression: 수수료는 현금으로 내야 하나요?
Pronunciation: su-su-ryo-neun hyeon-geum-eu-ro nae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I have to pay the fee in cash? -
Expression: 카드로 결제할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro gyeol-je-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I pay by card? -
Expression: 신청서 여기 제출합니다.
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-seo yeo-gi je-chul-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I am submitting the application form here. -
Expression: 언제 발급되나요?
Pronunciation: eon-je bal-geup-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: When will it be issued? -
Expression: 바로 발급 가능해요?
Pronunciation: ba-ro bal-geup ga-neung-hae-yo?
Meaning: Can it be issued immediately?
Asking Questions About the IDP
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Expression: 국제 운전면허증 유효 기간은 얼마나 되나요?
Pronunciation: guk-je un-jeon-myeon-heo-jeung yu-hyo gi-gan-eun eol-ma-na doe-na-yo?
Meaning: How long is the validity period for the International Driving Permit? -
Expression: 어디서 신청할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-seo sin-cheong-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I apply? -
Expression: 경찰서에서도 신청 가능해요?
Pronunciation: gyeong-chal-seo-e-seo-do sin-cheong ga-neung-hae-yo?
Meaning: Can I also apply at a police station? -
Expression: 운전면허시험장에서도 되나요?
Pronunciation: un-jeon-myeon-heo-si-heom-jang-e-seo-do doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible at the driver’s license examination office too? -
Expression: 신청하는데 시간이 얼마나 걸려요?
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-ha-neun-de si-gan-i eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-yo?
Meaning: How long does it take to apply? -
Expression: 대리인 신청도 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: dae-ri-in sin-cheong-do ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is proxy application possible? -
Expression: 온라인으로 신청할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: on-la-in-eu-ro sin-cheong-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I apply online? -
Expression: 외국인도 신청할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: oe-guk-in-do sin-cheong-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can foreigners also apply? (Note: Usually requires a Korean domestic license first) -
Expression: 이 면허증으로 어느 나라에서 운전할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i myeon-heo-jeung-eu-ro eo-neu na-ra-e-seo un-jeon-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: In which countries can I drive with this permit? -
Expression: 수수료 납부 방법을 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: su-su-ryo nap-bu bang-beob-eul al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me the method for paying the fee. -
Expression: 신청서 작성 예시가 있나요?
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-seo jak-seong ye-si-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there an example of how to fill out the application form? -
Expression: 사진 규격은 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: sa-jin gyu-gyeok-eun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the photo specifications?
Korean Culture Notes
Application Locations: In Korea, you can typically apply for an IDP at major police stations (경찰서 – gyeong-chal-seo) or any Driver’s License Examination Office (운전면허시험장 – un-jeon-myeon-heo-si-heom-jang). Applying at the examination office is often faster.
Required Documents: Always bring your valid Korean driver’s license, your passport (or a copy), and one passport-sized photo taken within the last 6 months. An application fee (수수료 – su-su-ryo) is also required.
Validity: The Korean-issued IDP is typically valid for one year from the date of issue. However, its validity abroad also depends on the validity of your domestic Korean driver’s license. If your Korean license expires sooner than one year, the IDP’s validity ends then too.
Using the IDP Abroad: Remember that the IDP is essentially a translation of your domestic license. When driving abroad, you usually need to carry both your IDP and your original Korean driver’s license.
Processing Time: In most cases, especially at Driver’s License Examination Offices, the IDP can be issued on the spot within 30 minutes to an hour, provided all documents are correct.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Minjun goes to a Driver’s License Examination Office to apply for an IDP.
Characters:
- A: Minjun (민준)
- B: Office Clerk (직원 – jig-won)
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 국제 운전면허증 신청하려고 왔는데요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, guk-je un-jeon-myeon-heo-jeung sin-cheong-ha-ryeo-go wat-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: Hello, I came here to apply for an International Driving Permit. -
Expression: B: 네, 이쪽에서 신청서 작성해 주시고, 여권, 운전면허증, 사진 한 장 준비해 주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, i-jjok-e-seo sin-cheong-seo jak-seong-hae ju-si-go, yeo-gwon, un-jeon-myeon-heo-jeung, sa-jin han jang jun-bi-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, please fill out the application form here, and prepare your passport, driver’s license, and one photo. -
Expression: A: 네, 여기 서류 다 있습니다. 신청서, 여권, 면허증, 사진이요.
Pronunciation: ne, yeo-gi seo-ryu da it-seum-ni-da. sin-cheong-seo, yeo-gwon, myeon-heo-jeung, sa-jin-i-yo.
Meaning: Yes, here are all the documents. The application form, passport, license, and photo. -
Expression: B: 감사합니다. 확인해 보겠습니다… 네, 다 맞네요. 수수료는 8,500원입니다.
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. hwa-gin-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da… ne, da mat-ne-yo. su-su-ryo-neun pal-cheon-o-baek-won-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you. I will check them… Yes, everything is correct. The fee is 8,500 won. -
Expression: A: 카드로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay by card. -
Expression: B: 네, 이쪽에 카드 주십시오. (결제 후) 잠시만 기다려 주세요. 금방 발급해 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, i-jjok-e ka-deu ju-sip-si-o. (gyeol-je hu) jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo. geum-bang bal-geup-hae deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, please give me your card here. (After payment) Please wait just a moment. We will issue it shortly. -
Expression: A: 네, 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, thank you.
Practice Tips
Familiarize yourself with the key vocabulary like 국제 운전면허증, 신청서, 수수료, and the places like 경찰서 or 운전면허시험장~ Practice saying the phrases for requesting the application and asking about documents and fees!
Role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner can be very helpful. Try simulating the process of submitting documents and paying the fee. Good luck with your application!
