Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
tract; these can be a real bargain as the value of vehicles tends to depreciate quickly and
there's a steady supply from foreigners returning to their home countries.
Getting a new vehicle ready for the road is a fairly painless process. Dealers are required
to assist car buyers with the registration of new purchases for no extra charge, and they will
take care of everything if you provide them with the necessary paperwork, which includes
copies of your alien registration card and passport. New vehicles will be given a tempor-
ary tag that allows them to be driven for around 10 days before it must be exchanged for
a permanent registration sticker and license plate at the closest district office. Insurance is
mandatory for any vehicle with an engine size of over 50 cc, and new cars are also subject
to government inspections every two years. Most cars are also subject to automobile taxes,
usually paid on a quarterly basis, that vary according to make and age.
Potential car owners should also take parking into consideration—most sizable villas or
apartment complexes will assign a parking space to tenants automatically, but if your home
doesn't, you'll have to either pay for parking at a lot nearby or jostle for a place on the
street, and the latter is a regular source of ugly disputes among neighbors.
Many companies also offer car rental services. While renting works out to be consider-
ably more expensive than buying over the long term, it also means the rental firm will take
care of any bureaucracy, and insurance and roadside assistance are usually included in the
fees, making it a good stopgap option. Medium-class sedans can be rented for around 1 mil-
lion won per month. Many rental firms can also arrange drivers, although this ups the bill
substantially, typically by 100,000-160,000 won per day.
International licenses from most countries can be used in South Korea until they expire,
after which a foreign resident has to obtain a local license to drive in the country. If you've
already got a driver's license from your country of origin, it can be exchanged for a local li-
cense at the Seoul Global Center or branches of the national Driver's License Examination
Office. Applicants must also provide three photos and copies of their passports and alien
registration certificates, and are subject to a quick physical examination, as well as possibly
a short written exam depending on where their license was issued. Your old license will be
retained until the next time you leave South Korea, when you can get it back by turning in
your local license and providing proof of your departure, such as a plane ticket.
If you don't have a license and want to apply for one in South Korea (and are over 18),
you'll have to provide the agency with your passport, alien registration card, three photos,
and about 50,000 won to cover the costs of the application, education, and testing. Would-
