Driver's License Exam Procedure
The procedure of the Driver's License exam is shown below.
1. Traffic Safety Education
Before applying for the written exam, you must receive at least one hour of traffic safety education, as shown in the table below. (Article 73-(1) of the Road Traffic Act; Article 37-(1) of the Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act)
Provided, That the same shall not apply to anyone who has received special traffic safety statutory education after revocation of his/her driver license or has completed the driving education in a specialized driving school. (Article 73-(1) of the Road Traffic Act)
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※ You can view the traffic safety education schedule on the RoadTrafficAuthorityDriver'sLicenseServiceWebpage.
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Item
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Details
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Contents (Article 73(1) of the Road Traffic Act)
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·Driving etiquette ·Knowledge of road traffic laws Safe driving ·Prevention of accidents involving children, the disabled, and the elderly Yielding to emergency vehicles Knowledge and skills required for eco-friendly and economic driving Other means of achieving traffic safety * For detailed information of the contents, method and time of testing please refer to Attached Table 16 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act.
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2. Health Check (Aptitude Test)
As part of your application for the driver's license exam, you must receive a physical test at the Examination Office or at a designated hospital. (Article 83-(1)-1 of the Road Traffic Act; Article 45 of the Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act)
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Test item
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Details
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Eyesight (corrected eyesight)
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For Class I driver's licenses: Visual acuity shall be at least 0.8 with both eyes tested together, and at least 0.5 in either eye; provided that if a person who has lost the sight of one eye intends to obtain a driver's license for ordinary motor vehicles, his/her visual acuity of the other eye shall be at least 0.8, and he/she shall have altitudinal visual rangeof 120 degrees and vertical visual range of 20 degrees, and there shall be no scotoma or hemianopia within central visual range of 20 degrees. For Class II driver’s licenses: Visual acuity shall be at least 0.5 with both eyes tested together; provided that a person with monocular vision shall have the vision acuity of at least 0.6 in a single eye.
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Color identification
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You must be able to discern the colors red, green, and yellow
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Hearing
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Ability to hear sounds 55 decibels (40 decibels for hearing aid users)
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Physical disability
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You must not have a physical or mental disability that prevents you from driving safely, e.g. inability to control the steering wheel and other devices. An exception can be made if you are able to safely drive a vehicle designed to specifically accommodate your disability.
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The Road Traffic Authority may determine whether a person meets the standards for aptitude tests above, on a basis of the following documents(Article 45(2) of the Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act; Articles 59-2and Form No. 42-2 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act):
· Any of the following documents issued within 2 years from the filing of an application for a driver’s license test:
√ A physical examination report attached to Form No. 64 (if applying for a Class I driver’s license test for ordinary motor vehicles or a Class II driver’s license test—refer to Form No. 65 of the Enforcement Rule of the Road Traffic Act)—issued by a medical clinic as defined in Item 1 of Subparagraph 3 of Article 3(2) of the Medical Service Act, or issued by a hospital or general hospital as defined in Items 1 and 5 of Subparagraph 3 of Article 3(2) of the same Act.
√A notice of the results of a medical examination administered pursuant to Article 52 of the National Health Insurance Act.
√ A medical certificate issued by a medical doctor in accordance with Article 17 of the Medical Service Act.
√ A notice of the results of a physical examination for determining the suitability for military service under Article 11 of the Military Service Act (including a physical examination for volunteers for active duty service).
· A medical history report (Form No. 42 of the Enforcement Regulation of the Road Traffic Act) (excluding Class I driver’s licenses for ordinary motor vehicles and Class II driver’s licenses).
· A report on a disease or body (Form No. 42-2 of the Enforcement Regulation of the Road Traffic Act) (applicable only to the cases of Class I driver’s licenses for ordinary motor vehicles and Class II driver’s licenses).
※ However, whether a person meets the standards for aptitude tests prescribed in the proviso to Article 45(1)1(a) of the Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act shall be determined only through a medical certificate issued by a medical doctor in accordance with Article 17 of the Medical Service Act(proviso to Article 45(2) of the Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act).
3. Written Exam
A driver's license exam applicant must submit the test application form and the following documents to the chief of a police station or the Road Traffic Authority, and provide a form of identification. Use the Form No.42 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act if applying for a Level 1 Large and Special Driver's License or use the Form No.42-2 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act if applying for a Level 1 Regular and Level 2 Driver's License. (Article 83 of the Road Traffic Act; Article 57-1 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act)
· Three ID photographs taken within six months before the date of application, with no headgear and no background (size requirement: 3.5cm by 4.5cm).
· Disease history report, only if applying for a Level 1 Large and Special Driver's License
· Disease/physical examination report, only if applying for a Level 1 Regular Driver's License or a Level 2 Driver's License
· Any of the following documents issued within 2 years from the filing of an application for a driver’s license test (if a person who has lost the sight of one eye intends to apply for a Class I driver's license test for ordinary motor vehicles, referring to amedical certificate issued by a medical doctor in accordance with Article 17 of the Medical Service Act) must contain information about the aptitudes described in Article 45(1) of the Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act; provided that the information that can be confirmed by access of administrative information in accordance with Article 36 of the Electronic Government Act may not be required.
√ A physical examination report attached to Form No.42 (if applying for a Class I driver’s license test for ordinary motor vehicles and a Class II driver’s license test, referring to Form No. 42-2) issued by a medical clinic defined in Article 3(2)1(a) of the Medical Service Act, or a hospital or general hospital defined in Article 3(2)3(a) and (e) of the same Act.
√ A notice of the results of a medical examination administered pursuant to Article 52 of theNational Health Insurance Act.
√ A medical certificate issued by a medical doctor in accordance with Article 17 of the Medical Service Act.
√ A notice of the results of a physical examination for determining the suitability for military service under Article 11 of the Military Service Act (including a physical examination for volunteers for active duty service).
- An application form is valid for one year from the date of the initial written test, and replaced by the valid period of a Level 1 Regular Temporary Driving License or a Level 2 Regular Temporary Driving License, if received. (Article 58-2 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act)
- A driver's license exam application receipt is issued when a driver's license exam application form is submitted. You should ask to have your driver's license exam application receipt re-issued if it is lost or damaged. (Article 58-1/3 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act)
- The written exam takes place in the designated location of a Driver's License Examination Office on the date specified when your application was submitted.
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Item
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Details
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Test contents
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*Legal knowledge of road traffic (95%) - Stipulations of the Road Traffic Act - Stipulations of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Settlement of Traffic Accidents and orders under the same act - Stipulations of the Automobile Management Act, in particular those pertaining to the registration and inspection of motor vehicles - Stipulations of Article 144 of the Road Traffic Act, pertaining to traffic safety rules and traffic safety education * Inspection of motor vehicles for maintenance and safe driving (5%) - Basic inspection of motor vehicles - Identification of minor malfunctions - Management of driving apparatuses (including fuel-saving driving methods) Stipulations on traffic safety rules and traffic safety education, found in Article 144 of the Road Traffic Act.
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Passing grade
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Seventy points or higher for Level 1, sixty points or higher for Level 2, sixty points or higher for Motor Bicycle
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- Passing applicants are announced on the day of the test. Passing applicants are informed of the date and location of the Driving Course Test. (Article 64-1/2 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act)
- If you pass the written exam, you are exempt from taking the written exam if you apply for a driver's license exam again within one year from your passing date. (Article 50-(6) of the Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act)
4. Driving Course Test
- You can apply for the driving course test after passing the written exam. You can also re-apply for the test if you have failed.
- The driving course test is taken at the designated Driver's License Examination Office on the date specified at the time of driving course test application.
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Item
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Details
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Test contents
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·Ability to control driving apparatus ·Ability to follow the traffic law ·Perception and judgment in driving
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Test items, grading standards, passing requirements
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See Attached Table 24 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act
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- Passing applicants are individually notified at the testing location at the completion of the driving course test. (Article 74-1 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act)
- A no-show counts as a failure. (Article 74-3 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act)
- If you fail the driving course test, you can apply again after three days. (Article 48-(6) of the Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act)
5. Obtaining a Temporary Driving License
A Temporary Driving License is issued to allow on-road driving practice to those that pass the driving course test, and is valid for one year. (Article 81 of the Road Traffic Act)
If you get a Level 1 Regular Driver's License or a Level 2 Regular Driver's License before the one-year validity period of your Temporary Driving License is up, your Temporary Driving License becomes invalid. (Article 81 of the Road Traffic Act)
※ Validity of a Temporary Driving License
· A driver's license exam application receipt (Form No. 42 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act) showing a driver's license number and valid period can be used as a Temporary Driving License. (Article 77-2 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act)
· A Temporary Driving License is valid for one year from the date of issue. If you get a Level 1 Regular Driver's License or a Level 2 Regular Driver's License before the one-year validity period of your temporary driving license is up, your temporary driving license becomes invalid. (Article 81 of the Road Traffic Act)
- A driver's license exam application receipt can double as a temporary driving license if a driver's license number and valid period are shown. (Article 77-2 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act)
- A temporary driving license holder must meet the following requirements when practicing driving on the road. (Article 55 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act)
·A temporary driving license holder must be accompanied by an individual who has held a driver's license (must be the correct license type for the vehicle being driven) for two years when driving. The driver's license held by this supervisor must not be suspended.
·A temporary driving license holder must not drive commercial vehicles specified by the Passenger Transport Service Act or the Trucking Transport Business Act.
· A learner driver sign (Attached Table 21 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act) must be affixed to the vehicle being driven to let other drivers on the road know that a temporary driving license holder is practicing driving.
6. On-road Driving Exam
A temporary driving license holder can apply for the on-road driving exam. (Article 49-(2) of the Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act)
· If you fail the on-road driving exam, you must wait three days before re-applying. (Article 49-(4) of the Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act)
Take the on-road driving exam at the designated test location on the date specified when you apply for the test.
Grading of your on-road driving exam is done by an accompanying tester who uses an electronic grading machine. (Article 68-2 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act)
· If electronic grading is not possible due to a malfunction of the electronic grading machine, the tester shall record your grades on the road test grading chart. (Article 68-2 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act)
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Item
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Details
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Test contents
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Ability to control driving apparatus on the road Ability to follow the traffic laws on the road
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Passing applicants are individually notified at the testing location after the completion of the on-road driving exam. (Article 74-2 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act)
Enrolment at a Driving School
What is a driving school?
- A driving school must be registered with a district police agency after meeting the requirements of facilities, instructors, and setup specified in Attached Table 5 of the Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act. (Article 99 of the Road Traffic Act)
- A "driving school" is a driver training service provider designated by a district police agency, and equipped with a superintendent, qualified driving instructors, and driving course test facilities. (Article 104-(1) of the Road Traffic Act)
※ Illegal Forms of Driver Training for Profit
· It is prohibited to establish and operate facilities for driver education or training without registration with a district police agency. (Article 116 of the Road Traffic Act)
· No person who fails to have his/her driving school registered with the competent provincial police agency shall, in return for payment, may perform driving/motor vehicle (etc.) education outside a driving school, borrow the name of a driving school, install facilities for motor vehicle driving practice (etc.), or solicit people to make use of such facilities (Article 116 of the Road Traffic Act).
Obtaining a Driver's License through a Driving School
- Any person who has completed driving education in a specialized driving school (hereinafter referred to as the “specialized school”) may be exempt from traffic safety education (Proviso to Article 73(1) of the Road Traffic Act).
· The curriculums, schedules, and training methods offered by driving schools to seekers of the different types of driver's license can be viewed in Attached Table 32 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act. (Article 103-(2) of the Road Traffic Act; Article 65-(2) of the Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act; Article 106-1 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act)
- If you have completed the driving knowledge education and driving course education at a driving school, you can take the driving course test in the test station of your driving school. (Article 69-1 of the Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act)
Rules on the Fee Structure of Driving Schools
- A driving school must display a chart in plain view of driving students indicating the fees it charges. (Article 126-2 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act)
- A driving school must not receive from its students any fees in excess of what is indicated in its fee chart. (Article 110-(3) of the Road Traffic Act)
- If a student is unable to continue training, or if the driving school is unable to provide training for reasons such as canceled registration, relocation, operation cessation, or canceled designation, the student is entitled to a refund of fees paid and/or assistance with transfer to another driving school. (Article 111-(1) of the Road Traffic Act)
- Grounds for a refund of fees, and the amounts of refund due are as follows. (Article 111-(2) of the Road Traffic Act; Article 71-(2) of the Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act)
1. Before the commencement of training: Full refund of fees paid
2. After the commencement of training
A. An amount calculated by multiplying the fees, etc. already paid by the ratio of the remaining class hours to total class hours, if it is impracticable to continue the education course due to a cause ascribable to the driving school, etc., such as being subject to suspension of operation;
B. An amount calculated by multiplying the fees paid by the ratio of the remaining class hours to total class hours, where education is impracticable because of any disease or injury of a student, or the student is unable to continue to attend his or her class (limited to cases where he or she has not obtained a driver's license) by unavoidable reasons, such as detention of the body in custody, etc. pursuant to statutes;
C. An amount equivalent to one half of the amount calculated by multiplying the fees paid by the ratio of the remaining class hours to total class hours, where a student is unable to continue to attend his or her class by unavoidable reasons attributable to him or her, such as his or her abandonment of a class, etc.
