Monday, July 29, 2013
The price of four wheel freedom in the ROK
So many of you may know that I have a little four wheel super car to get around to local areas of Korea. You can't beat this little snazzy vehicle? (By the way it has been renamed Minion, unilateral decision on that)
So today was the day where I decided to embark on the grand adventure of getting my Korean drivers license. So realizing that it was a Monday and it would be crazy, I ventured off via subway to the local DMV. I studied hard, read blogs, had all my paperwork in order and found the building fine.
First issue was no English signs anywhere so I looked for the biggest group of people and headed that way. I was able to ask information in enough sign and English to say foreign license and went around the corner where all of two foreigners were in line.
I gave the lady all of my forms and was expecting to be told to go take the written exam. Instead I was given three pages, an example form and told to go fill all this stuff out. By the time I got to the portion asking about if I have dementia or schizophrenia I started to wonder if I wasn't a bit demented at doing this. By miracle of miracles I finished the papers, took them to the lady and was told to go and have my eye test.
This was not part of the plan! I was just supposed to take written test and go on. So I walked to another building and saw a line that said information and it felt like that I was in the right place and there was a lady that was boldly directing people where to go. I get to her and, again in nearly zero English, she showed me I hadn't finished the form, and sent me to the desk to play with a glue stick and put some of my photos on the pages where shown. Then, after being given approval I did a 180 to find the end of yet a longer line to do my eye exam. Same room remind you.
So the dreaded eye test and I wondered if it would be in English or what? So putting an index card attached to a spoon over one eye, I read out the letters, numbers, and pictures that the lady forcefully whacked on a chart. (She meant all business) After passing with some question in the right eye, they scooted me out of that room and back to the ever so congenial (not) lady at the original desk. I gave her my eye exam and all the forms again and she took my Idaho license and said wait 20 minutes. Then I thought now, finally here comes the exam I studied for.
In about 15 minutes I was handed the following.
Now I could have tried to explain that I need to take another exam and I shouldn't have this yet, but let's get real. I spent at least 90 minutes there, went through a heavy Korean obstacles and probably study more for that test than most ever have so I just took this thing and walked right out the door.
I will take my knowledge that it is a 20,000 won fine if you splash someone with excess water while driving and just do my best from this point on.
Now if only the battery hadn't died over the summer and little Minion would have started. Never fear, it will get sorted out soon!!
If nothing else, I have a new adventure to add to all the others of Korea.
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