Exchanging your foreign driver’s license for a Korean one involves specific procedures and knowing the right Korean phrases can make the process much smoother. This guide provides essential vocabulary and expressions you’ll need when dealing with driver’s license centers and related administrative tasks in South Korea, helping you navigate the requirements for driving legally.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 운전면허 전환하기
Pronunciation: un-jeon-myeon-heo jeon-hwan-ha-gi
Meaning: Exchanging a driver’s license (literally: driver’s license conversion doing)
Essential Vocabulary
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Expression: 운전면허증
Pronunciation: un-jeon-myeon-heo-jeung
Meaning: Driver’s license -
Expression: 외국 운전면허증
Pronunciation: oe-guk un-jeon-myeon-heo-jeung
Meaning: Foreign driver’s license -
Expression: 국제 운전면허증
Pronunciation: guk-je un-jeon-myeon-heo-jeung
Meaning: International Driving Permit (IDP) -
Expression: 운전면허 시험장
Pronunciation: un-jeon-myeon-heo si-heom-jang
Meaning: Driver’s license examination center -
Expression: 신청서
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-seo
Meaning: Application form -
Expression: 서류
Pronunciation: seo-ryu
Meaning: Documents -
Expression: 여권
Pronunciation: yeo-gwon
Meaning: Passport -
Expression: 외국인등록증
Pronunciation: oe-gu-gin-deung-nok-jeung
Meaning: Alien Registration Card (ARC) -
Expression: 대사관 확인서
Pronunciation: dae-sa-gwan hwa-gin-seo
Meaning: Embassy certificate / confirmation -
Expression: 출입국 사실증명서
Pronunciation: chu-rip-guk sa-sil-jeung-myeong-seo
Meaning: Certificate of Entry and Exit -
Expression: 신체검사
Pronunciation: sin-che-geom-sa
Meaning: Physical examination / health check-up -
Expression: 수수료
Pronunciation: su-su-ryo
Meaning: Fee / commission
Key Phrases for the Process
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Expression: 외국 운전면허증을 한국 면허증으로 바꾸고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: oe-guk un-jeon-myeon-heo-jeung-eul han-guk myeon-heo-jeung-eu-ro ba-kku-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to exchange my foreign driver’s license for a Korean one. -
Expression: 운전면허 전환 신청은 어디서 하나요?
Pronunciation: un-jeon-myeon-heo jeon-hwan sin-cheong-eun eo-di-seo ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Where do I apply for a driver’s license exchange? -
Expression: 필요한 서류가 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: pi-ryo-han seo-ryu-ga mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What documents are required? -
Expression: 신청서를 작성해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-seo-reul jak-seong-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: You need to fill out the application form. -
Expression: 사진 3장이 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: sa-jin se-jang-i pi-ryo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Three photos are needed. -
Expression: 신체검사는 어디서 받나요?
Pronunciation: sin-che-geom-sa-neun eo-di-seo bat-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I get the physical examination? -
Expression: 수수료는 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: su-su-ryo-neun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much is the fee? -
Expression: 필기시험을 봐야 하나요?
Pronunciation: pil-gi-si-heom-eul bwa-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to take a written test? -
Expression: 면허증은 언제 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: myeon-heo-jeung-eun eon-je ba-deul su in-na-yo?
Meaning: When can I receive the license? -
Expression: 제 외국 면허증은 반납해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: je oe-guk myeon-heo-jeung-eun ban-na-pae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I have to return my foreign license? -
Expression: 대사관 확인서가 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: dae-sa-gwan hwa-gin-seo-ga pi-ryo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: An embassy certificate is required.
Asking Questions
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Expression: 운전면허 전환 절차에 대해 여쭤보고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: un-jeon-myeon-heo jeon-hwan jeol-cha-e dae-hae yeo-jjwo-bo-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to ask about the driver’s license exchange procedure. -
Expression: 이 서류가 맞는지 확인해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: i seo-ryu-ga man-neun-ji hwa-gin-hae ju-si-gen-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you please check if this document is correct? -
Expression: 신청서 작성하는 것을 도와주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-seo jak-seong-ha-neun geo-seul do-wa-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you help me fill out the application form? -
Expression: 처리 기간이 얼마나 걸리나요?
Pronunciation: cheo-ri gi-gan-i eol-ma-na geol-li-na-yo?
Meaning: How long does the processing take? -
Expression: 제 모국 면허증은 인정되나요?
Pronunciation: je mo-guk myeon-heo-jeung-eun in-jeong-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is my home country’s license recognized? -
Expression: 적성검사(신체검사)는 필수인가요?
Pronunciation: jeok-seong-geom-sa (sin-che-geom-sa)-neun pil-su-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is the aptitude test (physical examination) mandatory? -
Expression: 번호표를 뽑고 기다리면 되나요?
Pronunciation: beo-no-pyo-reul ppop-go gi-da-ri-myeon doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Should I take a number ticket and wait? -
Expression: 수수료는 현금으로 내야 하나요, 카드로도 되나요?
Pronunciation: su-su-ryo-neun hyeon-geum-eu-ro nae-ya ha-na-yo, ka-deu-ro-do doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Does the fee have to be paid in cash, or is card payment also possible? -
Expression: 면허증 발급 창구가 어디인가요?
Pronunciation: myeon-heo-jeung bal-geup chang-gu-ga eo-di-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Where is the counter for license issuance? -
Expression: 필요한 서류 목록을 다시 한번 알려주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: pi-ryo-han seo-ryu mong-no-geul da-si han-beon al-lyeo-ju-si-gen-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you tell me the list of required documents one more time?
Cultural Tips
Document Requirements Vary: The specific documents needed for license exchange can vary depending on your nationality and the agreements between your home country and South Korea. Always check the official requirements on the KoROAD (Road Traffic Authority) website or call the driver’s license center beforehand.
Embassy Authentication: Often, you’ll need your foreign license authenticated or verified by your country’s embassy in Korea. This step can take time, so plan accordingly.
Potential Tests: Depending on your country of origin, you might be exempt from the written and/or driving tests, or you might need to take a simplified written test (aptitude test). Research this based on your nationality.
Efficiency but Strictness: Korean administrative processes are generally efficient, but staff often adhere strictly to the rules. Ensure all your documents are complete and correct to avoid delays. Missing even one small item can require another visit.
Physical Examination: The required physical check (신체검사 – sin-che-geom-sa) is usually a basic vision and hearing test, often available on-site at the driver’s license center for a small fee.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Alex (A) is at a driver’s license examination center inquiring about exchanging their foreign license with an official (B).
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 외국 운전면허증을 한국 면허증으로 바꾸고 싶어서 왔습니다.
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. oe-guk un-jeon-myeon-heo-jeung-eul han-guk myeon-heo-jeung-eu-ro ba-kku-go si-peo-seo wat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Hello. I came here because I want to exchange my foreign driver’s license for a Korean one. -
Expression: B: 네, 어느 나라 면허증이신가요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, eo-neu na-ra myeon-heo-jeung-i-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, which country is your license from? -
Expression: A: 미국 면허증입니다. 필요한 서류가 무엇인지 알려주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: A: mi-guk myeon-heo-jeung-im-ni-da. pi-ryo-han seo-ryu-ga mu-eo-sin-ji al-lyeo-ju-si-gen-na-yo?
Meaning: A: It’s a US license. Could you tell me what documents are required? -
Expression: B: 네. 외국 면허증 원본, 여권 원본, 외국인등록증 원본, 그리고 대사관에서 발급받은 면허증 확인서가 필요합니다. 출입국 사실증명서와 사진 3장도 준비해주세요.
Pronunciation: B: ne. oe-guk myeon-heo-jeung won-bon, yeo-gwon won-bon, oe-gu-gin-deung-nok-jeung won-bon, geu-ri-go dae-sa-gwan-e-seo bal-geup-ba-deun myeon-heo-jeung hwa-gin-seo-ga pi-ryo-ham-ni-da. chu-rip-guk sa-sil-jeung-myeong-seo-wa sa-jin se-jang-do jun-bi-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes. You need the original foreign license, original passport, original ARC, and a license certificate issued by your embassy. Please also prepare a Certificate of Entry and Exit and three photos. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 필기시험도 봐야 하나요?
Pronunciation: A: al-get-seum-ni-da. pil-gi-si-heom-do bwa-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: A: I understand. Do I also need to take the written test? -
Expression: B: 미국 면허증은 상호 인정 국가라서 필기시험은 면제됩니다. 간단한 적성검사(신체검사)만 받으시면 됩니다.
Pronunciation: B: mi-guk myeon-heo-jeung-eun sang-ho in-jeong guk-ga-ra-seo pil-gi-si-heom-eun myeon-je-doem-ni-da. gan-dan-han jeok-seong-geom-sa (sin-che-geom-sa)-man ba-deu-si-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: B: US licenses are from a mutually recognized country, so the written test is waived. You only need to take a simple aptitude test (physical examination). -
Expression: A: 감사합니다. 서류 준비해서 다시 오겠습니다.
Pronunciation: A: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. seo-ryu jun-bi-hae-seo da-si o-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Thank you. I will prepare the documents and come back.
Practice Tips
Navigating administrative tasks like exchanging your driver’s license is a great way to practice practical Korean! Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner~ Remember to gather all necessary documents beforehand to make the process smoother. Don’t hesitate to use phrases like “다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?” (da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-gen-na-yo? – Could you please say that again?) or “천천히 말씀해 주시겠어요?” (cheon-cheon-hi mal-sseum-hae ju-si-gen-na-yo? – Could you please speak slowly?) if you need clarification. Good luck with your license exchange!
