Navigating parking in South Korea is a big challenge for newcomers, and Pyeongtaek-si is no exception. Whether you’re a long-term resident or a recent arrival, understanding the rules, both social and legal, is key to avoiding fines and ensuring smooth experiences. This guide will cover 5 foundational concepts regarding parking in Korea and a tip for each. These are concepts, not specifics. We cover specifics in other posts. Let’s get started. About Parking in Pyeongtaek Pyeongtaek-si has grown a great deal in the last 8 years. New neighborhoods continue to open every month. Finding parking may feel like a huge challenge with parking systems seemingly changing from neighborhood to neighborhood. In many cases, we need to feel the parking vibes more than we need to know the parking rules. Therefore, having a few concepts and tips in our head for observing vibes in each neighborhood can help everyone roll with Pyeongtaek-si’s changes a little more fluidly. Also, these tips work across Korea. 5 Tips to Navigate Pyeongtaek-si’s Parking Culture After many conversations with international residents about their parking stress, we put together six tips for understanding parking and going with the vibes in Pyeongtaek-si. 1. Understanding the Local Nuances of Parking Parking in Pyeongtaek isn’t just about finding a legal spot; it’s about understanding the unwritten social rules. What might be acceptable in one district could be frowned upon in another, so it’s essential to stay informed about local parking regulations. As you move from one administrative district to another, the parking regulations and enforcement can vary significantly. TIP: Always check signage and be mindful of differences between districts to avoid penalties. Also check local city websites. 2. Legal vs. Social Parking Practices In South Korea, legal parking doesn’t always equate to acceptable parking. For example, a spot may be legal, but if it causes inconvenience to neighbors or businesses, it may lead to social friction. Being aware of these nuances is crucial to maintaining good relations within the community. TIP: Always consider how your parking choices might affect those around you, even if you’re within your legal rights. 3. Parking Information: Language Barriers Most parking signs and information will be in Korean, and while you might come across some English translations, they can often be confusing or misleading due to differences in language use. This makes it essential for foreigners to familiarize themselves with key Korean terms and signs related to parking. TIP: Learning a few key phrases or using translation apps can help you navigate parking rules more efficiently. Also research parking information on Naver. 4. Unique Parking Systems in South Korea In Pyeongtaek, and throughout South Korea, there are some parking customs that may seem unusual to foreigners. One of the most notable practices is leaving your phone number visible on the dashboard in the window in front of the driver. This allows other drivers to contact you if they need you to move your car or if you’re blocking access to a shared parking area. TIP: This practice is a common courtesy and helps ensure that any parking issues can be quickly resolved without involving authorities. Be a cool kid and get a phone number sign for your window. They have them at Daiso. 5. Parking Challenges and Enforcement Parking enforcement in Pyeongtaek is strict in some areas, particularly near commercial zones, U.S. military bases, and residential complexes. Unauthorized parking can result in fines or towing, so always pay attention to local restrictions. Additionally, keep in mind that parking spaces in South Korea tend to be narrower than those in many Western countries, so parking in compact spaces may require some adjustment. TIP: Remember-It’s better to spend a little extra time finding an appropriate spot than risk penalties for parking violations. In Pyeongtaek-si, register online for CCTV parking alerts. Final Freebie Tips for International Residents Conclusion Parking in Pyeongtaek may seem daunting at first, but once you understand the local rules and customs, it becomes much easier. Whether you’re navigating different districts or trying to find a spot in a crowded area, being informed and courteous will make your experience smoother. By following both the legal and social rules of parking, you’ll avoid issues and integrate seamlessly into the local community. Additional Parking Resources Here are additional information resources for parking Learn More About Living In Pyeongtaek-si Thank you for reading this blog post! If you’re looking to learn more about integrating into life in Pyeongtaek-si, South Korea, we encourage you to attend our in-person classes or workshops hosted by the Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation (PIEF). These events are designed to help you navigate life here, from understanding local culture to practical tips for daily living. Whether you’re a newcomer or a long-time resident, our classes offer valuable insights into the unique aspects of Pyeongtaek. You can also catch up on past sessions by visiting and following our Facebook Page, where you’ll find recordings of previous classes to watch at your convenience. Join us at PIEF and take the next step toward making the most of your experience in Pyeongtaek! Pyeongtaek Living 101Pyeongtak Living 101 is a PIEF (Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation) Program that supports international residents living in Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do. The program provides classes, workshops, and information to make integration into Korean life smoother. The Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation (PIEF), established in 2014, is a key organization in promoting global exchange and fostering international relations in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. PIEF’s mission centers around enhancing cultural understanding and cooperation, especially with the United States Forces Korea (USFK), local foreign residents, and citizens of Pyeongtaek, with the goal of becoming a globally recognized city. PIEF operates three main centers: the Paengseong International Community Center, Songtan International Community Center, and the Pyeongtaek English Education Center. These centers provide various services, such as language education, cultural programs, and support services for foreign residents. The foundation focuses on strengthening the ROK-US alliance through community-building events, cultural festivals, and educational programs that aim to integrate both locals and international residents. Additionally, PIEF facilitates programs to support foreign residents in Pyeongtaek by providing interpretation, legal and immigration counseling, and other resources to help them settle in Korea. By organizing diverse programs, such as the Global Supporters and Global Citizenship Fostering initiatives, PIEF actively promotes cultural exchange and global citizenship among Pyeongtaek’s residents. The foundation also seeks to enhance the city’s global reach through collaborations with other cities worldwide and through public diplomacy initiatives, aiming to position Pyeongtaek as a leading international city in Korea. www.facebook.com/PyeongtaekLiving101

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South Korea has a few fuel types for cars and trucks. Here is a quick introduction to common fuel types for passenger vehicles. In this post, I don’t address fuel types used only for commercial vehicles. Instead, I’m here to help you find the right car for your daily adventures. Choosing A Fuel Type Your ability to enjoy Korea and your car may be heavily impacted by the fuel type you select. For example, many of our volunteers choose LPG. This allows them to travel across Korea more freely. Now, here are are few things to consider when thinking about the fuel types included in this post and what type you need: Operating Cost: What can you afford to spend each month and how much do you need to drive? Look long and hard at what you can afford and what your financial goals may be. Availability of Fuel Type in Your Area: You may live in an area where one particular fuel type may not be as easily accessible for you so check this before making a choice. Performance Expectations: If you have plenty of money to send and performance is an issue, then you may want to stick to a traditional fuel type like Regular and Diesel Time in Korea: You may find your commitment to living in Korea may impact which fuel type you choose. Saving money over time may not matter if you are only here for a year. Plans to Export the Vehicle: If you plan to export your vehicle when you leave Korea, make sure that the fuel type you choose is easily available in your home country. Resale Value: Sometimes, certain vehicle types sell more easily than others. This may change over time and depend on vehicle type. Common Types of Fuels for Personal Vehicles Here are the most common fuel types for cars or trucks in Korea. New types may be introduced or phased out over time. Regular (휘발유) Fuel Type South Korea has high standards for its gas. The gasoline grades available in South Korea include RON 91 regular and RON 94 premium fuel. Also, in 2009 South Korea’s gasoline become some of the cleanest in the world when they introduced a sulfur limit of 10 ppm for gasoline. Regular is sold at the same pumps as Diesel. Thankfully, South Korea color codes the handles to help make mistakes harder to make. Regular is the yellow handle at the pump. The Diesel handle will be green. You can use Papago to translate the pumps if you feel unsure. Regular pumps may be either Self Service or Full Service so pay close attention to this as well. Different Self Service pumps may work differently. There is no universal standard. Some pumps offer English translation and some may not. Some Regular pumps may not accept foreign-issued payment options such as debit or credit cards. Such pumps may require a domestic payment type. They will usually accept KRW in cash. Korean Regular may be known as Premium or Super Premium in other countries. For example, US Premium fuel is RON 91 and Super Premium is 93. In South Korea, they simply call all of it the same name and don’t offer anything below RON 91. Usually, the Korean pumps offer RON 94. Even though two grades of gasoline may exist, each gas station usually only offers one grade at the pump. The station will show either a 91 or a 94 to show which they chose. More often than not, the gas stations choose to offer RON 94. US Vehicles Can Use Korean Regular Fuel Note for US drivers who have brought their vehicles from the US. You can fill your vehicles with Korean Regular gas off base. This is ok for two reasons: 1) Korean Regular gas is not inferior in quality and 2) US gas is not unique to the US. You can comfortably fill your vehicles off of US bases as needed for road trips. Clarifying such information is not pedantic. In fact, this has been a common question asked over the last decade. Therefore, I want to respect the concern and make the information clearly available. What may seem self-evident to some may not be self-evident to others. That’s ok. Diesel (경유) Fuel Type Diesel has gone from a national favorite to a national disgrace. The turn of Korean public opinion against Diesel is partially due to the urea crisis. The Urea crisis left many diesel drivers in crisis during an already difficult time. Korea is now moving away from Diesel. In fact, in July of 2021, Seoul banned the purchase of new diesel cars for government use. By 2025, Seoul city hopes to remove all diesel vehicles from public transportation, including taxis, airport buses, and city tour buses. Diesel is sold at the same pumps as Regular and you can find it across the country. Thankfully South Korea color codes the handles to help make mistakes harder to make. Diesel is the Green handle at the pump. The Regular handle will be yellow. You can use Papago to translate the pumps if you feel unsure. Regular pumps may be either Self Service or Full Service so pay close attention to this as well. Different Self Service pumps may work differently. There is no universal standard. Some may be in English and some may not. Some Diesel pumps may not accept foreign-issued payment options such as debit or credit cards. They may require a domestic payment type. They do accept KRW in cash. Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) Fuel Type LPG is a colorless, low-carbon, and highly efficient fuel that South Korea uses for taxis, trucks, buses, and some private vehicles. You may also know this gas by its common names: Propane and Butane. LPG is sold at different stations than Gas and Diesel. You can find LPG stations using Naver Maps and they are clearly marked on the roadside. LPG stations are ALWAYS full service. This is because filling an LPG tank requires a special nozzle that requires some training. Just sit back, relax, and let the professionals take care of it. LPG costs roughly half the cost of Regular or Diesel. This means you can easily afford to road trip across Korea even when the gas prices skyrocket. Until 2019, The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy restricted LPG fuel only for taxis, rental cars, and vehicles for disabled people. However, in 2019 the Ministry of Trade announced they would remove such restrictions to promote the use of LPG. Small and large vehicles come in LPG. You have options when looking at LPG. You can find both Gyeongcha (like Kia Mornings) and SUVs that take LPG. Some LPG pumps may not accept foreign-issued payment options such as debit or credit cards. They may require a domestic payment type. They do accept KRW in cash. Electric Fuel Type South Korea has been doubling down on its push for electric vehicles. Electric charging stations have been expanding quickly across the country. We will continue to add to this information as we learn more. Hybrid Vehicle Fuel Types South Korea offers hybrid fuel-type personal vehicles such as: Electric/ Regular Hybrid (common) Electric/ Diesel Hybrid (limited) Electric/LPG Hybrid (limited) LPG/ Regular Hybrid (common) My Recommendations My fuel type recommendations for cars or trucks in Korea relate to your income level. Our volunteers encourage anyone making less than 40 mil KRW a year to look into purchasing an LPG vehicle because of the massive savings in a year. If you make more money, look into the electric and hybrid electric options. Buying a Car in South Korea We hope this post about Fuel Types for Cars or Trucks in Korea helps you make choices for purchasing a vehicle easier. Learn more about buying a car in South Korea here. It’s important to do plenty of research on both how to buy a car in Korea and the car types available in South Korea. Getting Your Korean Driver’s License From Scratch Do you need to get your driver’s license here in Korea? We have a great article for that! There are quite a few quirks that you need before taking the three tests. Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains. www.southofseoul.net

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Honestly, we don’t have a nicer way to say this. We LOVE Hangul addresses but the Romanized Korean addresses sucks and makes life harder in many situations. In order to truly navigate Korea, you need the Korean address written in Hangul. We know that’s frustrating but it’s the truth and the struggle isn’t talked about online enough. So, let’s talk about it. What is Romanized Korean? Romanization is a linguistic term that refers to taking one language and converting it to Latin letters. In this case, when Korean is written out in “English” so that English speakers can try to pronounce the words without knowing how to read Hangul. It feels good to see but it doesn’t work very well for actually finding places. A Romanized Korean address looks like this: 29 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul As a non-Korean speaker, you will flock to addresses like this like a moth to a flame and just like that moth, you may get burned. South of Seoul wants to provide a little extra info so the burn doesn’t have to burn too deep and ruin your love of living or traveling in South Korea. What is Hangul? Hangul is the Korean writing system. You want to have addresses written in Hangul and not Romanized Hangul (Korean). We call it Romanized Korean since non-Korean speakers may conflate the entire Korean language with the Hangul writing system when searching for help in Google. A Hangul Korean address looks like this: 서울특별시 용산구 이태원로 29 You may not be comfortable with Hangul addresses that look like this because they don’t mean anything to you. That’s understandable. However, to comfortably live in Korea you may want to tackle that fear and overcome it. Why do Romanized Korean Address Suck? Keep in mind we aren’t saying the concept of Romanizing sucks, or that Korea sucks, or that anything about this situation reflects poorly on anyone in any way. Korea goes out of its way to make the country accessible to English speakers. It’s not Korea’s fault that such a situation exists and no one should be mad at anyone about it. The fact that different cultures and different languages exist makes life more fun and dynamic. Learning to navigate such complicated situations challenges our brains and helps us develop empathy for immigrants in our own countries and others struggling to learn new languages. What we are saying is that the solutions used to convey information between different languages may come with complications that don’t feel good at first. Understanding such language complications may empower you to advocate for your own best interests. The first step to overcoming anything that ‘sucks’ is knowing what moving parts you need to manage. Such language complications occur because society contains many moving parts. These moving parts include the computerized or organic databases that run apps, GPS systems, and the human brain. And these databases (even our brains database) struggle to correlate Romanized Hangul and Hangul. There are three big reasons that Romanized Korean addresses suck and might be useless when living or traveling in South Korea: Obviously, there may be times when Romanized Korean addresses word out fine for you but there will be some very critical times when things go south and you feel horribly helpless. Solutions for Finding the Hangul Address When you find yourself betrayed by a Romanized Korean address try one of the following tricks: If you always stay vigilant in confirming addresses and knowing that Romanized Korean addresses may cause a problem, your time living in traveling in Seoul will be filled with far fewer hurdles and strains. Choosing a Navigation App Choosing the right Navigation app will also help with your time in South Korea. Read this article next to know which navigation apps work best and why! Using Phone Numbers Instead of Address We talked about this in the above post, learn more about how to use phone numbers instead of addresses in our post about a navigation app hack. Using Naver Maps for Navigation Want to know how to use Naver Maps, get started with Navigating Korea: Using Naver Maps post. Creating Custom Travel Plans with Naver Maps Want to take your Naver Maps skills to the next level? Checkout our post on how to creat a custom travel itinerary in Korea. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Hello, I am an English educator from the United States living in rural South Korea. Recently, I went through the testing process for my South Korean driver’s license at the Yongin Driving Center. I thought it might be helpful to share my story. I can only speak from my experience here, some testing sites might differ. Let’s go…. About Getting Your Korean Driver’s’ License as a US Citizen Since Driver’s Licenses in the United States are issued by state, each state has its own reciprocity agreement with South Korea regarding the exchange for driver’s licenses. That means, as of 2022 14 states have agreements for exchanging licenses: In order to exchange a driver’s license from one of these states, one must have the license apostilled in the state of origin. Such complications may mean that US educators who wish to live and drive in South Korea may choose to get a South Korean driver’s license through testing. This was the route I chose to take. Solo Driver’s Licence Exam v. Driver’s Licence Hagwon Once I decided to test for my Korean driver’s license I needed to choose between taking the exams independently or going through a driving hagwon. Driving hagwons cost around 1.5 million won prepare you for the exam. Some driving hagwons even offer classes in English. Since I am comfortable driving and have done so for many years, I choose to take the exams through a driver’s license testing center. Such centers do not require hagwon classes and I could simply take a series of tests to earn my license. Such a process was less expensive and less time-consuming. Driving Hagwon with English Speaking Instructors If you decided you would like to earn your license through a driving hagwon, here is an option. In Pyeongtaek, there is a popular driving hagwon with English instructors in Paengseong. A number of other English educators in South Korea have used this location. It may take 1-2 weeks to get your license through a driving hagwon depending on your schedule and theirs. That said, I did not choose the hagwon route and this is how it went… My Testing Location For my region, Yongin is the closest public driving center you can get your license at without aid from a hagwon. Your testing facility will depend on your location. You can ask 1330 for the address of the Driver’s License Test Center (운전면허시험잔) near you. Cost for Getting a License without Road School Overall, to get my license cost just over 120,000 won-140,000 won. This included the cost of taking the exam multiple times. This did not take into consideration incidental costs such as transportation, missed days of work, etc. Estimated Time to get a Driver’s License from Scratch The process of getting my South Korean driver’s license took about 3 months with appointments. In the past, I’ve seen posts saying you can get this done in a day or a week but with current Covid 19 restrictions as well as having a full-time job I didn’t find this possible. It may take you many visits and the amount of time may vary by person. If you are pressed for time, a driving hagwon may be worth the money. If you don’t do the hagwon route you need to stay flexible and allow a lot of grace for failing tests due to differences in language and culture. Yongin Offers English Language Support and Testing In the Yongin Driving center, there is a help desk on the side, usually, there is someone onstaff who speaks English to assist. All tests and forms were available in English. Remember that Korea provides each administrative district a great deal of self-governance. This means that each driving test center may have more or less languages and support in such languages available. My Personal Driver’s License Story Here’s my experience and the steps I took to acquire my Korean driver’s license! Since the South Korean government provides a great deal of flexibility for local government agencies, each driving center may have systems with differ from the one in Yongin. Always check your local testing center. We can’t state the importance of being aware that local governments have different systems across South Korea. Much of what your read may lead you to believe that Korea has a system of universal governance, but it does not. Each administrative district has the flexibility to adapt (or not adapt) to the needs of the immediate area. Such variance greatly impacts those of us who live in rural areas. This blog posts my experience in Yongin at a particular point in time. Expect your experience to be different based on location and changes in Korean rules over time. Allowing space for such fluidity and diversity of experience will help you emotionally navigate getting your driver’s license on your own. Step 1: Education Course (free) Usually, you have to sign up for the Education Course before you arrive to take the class. They say you can sign up online but I don’t think the “foreigner” option is fleshed out and did not work for me. Don’t panic, you have options. You can get someone to help you make a reservation on the Korean version of the site or you can go to the nearest testing center in person. For this step, I visited the Driver’s License Test Center (운전면허시험잔) in Yongin to ask questions about how to sign up for my Education Course. While there, the Help Desk staff told me I could join the next Education Course Video if there was an open spot. It was my lucky day and I was able to signup for a course immediately. The course is about an hour and it was a three-step process. First, you fill out a small form with your information to prove you have taken this course. Second, you go and sit for an “ education video” about the safety of driving. Third, you can go back downstairs take a number and sign up for the written test. Step 2: Written Exam (7,500 won) 70% pass Written Exam Details I recommend studying for this test beforehand regardless of driving experience. There is an app called 운전면허. Plus, the app is a study guide and practice test with word-for-word questions you will see. Some of the situations and questions on this test are so specific that without remembering them from the app I wouldn’t have passed. Please study this a few times before taking the written Korean driver’s license test as it will greatly reduce your frustration and likelihood of taking the exam twice. Items Needed for the Written Korean Driver’s License Test After getting your form and photos, head upstairs is the testing room (remember that this is specific to Yongin). When your name appears you will go into the testing room. Turn off your phone and sit at your assigned computer. You have an hour to take the test and it’s a 70% pass rate. That means you need to pass the test with a 70% score. Studying via the 운전면허 app I was able to pass on the Written Test on the first try. Resources for studying for the written Korean driver’s license test: Step 3: “In Course” Driving Test (fee: 18,500) 80% pass Driving Course Details I failed the In Course Driving Test on my first try even after studying for this test for 2 weeks by watching the videos. ***This is NOT a test for your driving skills, this is a test to see if you memorized the video for the test. It is IMPOSSIBLE to do this test without studying videos. At hagwons, they are expected to memorize this with the very specific steps needed to not lose points.**** This test is a computerized driving test in course. It has a small computer screen in thecar and you drive solo around this course. The purpose of the In Course Driving Test is to show that you understand how to use the blinkers, wipers turn on the car, etc. And driving skills like: stopping on a hill, 3point turn/parking, speed control zone (aka can you speed up and slow down according tosigns). Points are automatically deducted and announced to you when do not do exactly as the video recommended. The screen and voice commands are available in English. However, the staff will need to choose the English setting. Please tell the staff beforehand to make sure that you have the right language option for you. On paper, this test isn’t difficult. The test only covers the most basic skills, however, the key is learning what small things count as a minus point. PLEASE study the linked videos. This test is monitored by GPS and totally computerized so is VERY SENSITIVE and ruthless. Hurdles for Taking the “In Course” Driving Test Here is a quick list of the issues I had while taking this test. Hurdle 1: Small Points Count Many points can be taken off before you even start the car. You will hear a set of beeps after she says the command and only then complete the task in 5 seconds. Then you will hear a little chime showing you completed it. Easy ways to lose points such as: if you fail to turn the blinkers off 5 seconds afterthe command…..-5pts . If you complete the task said before she finishes the sentence and pauses….-5pts. This is a driving hagwons video and it was very very useful. I recommend taking notes for the beeps. This is all in Korean but the format is exactly the same. Another example video of the course but just for an idea of what it looks like outside the car. When you begin the test after turning on the car turn on the left signal light to tell the computer you are starting. THEN turn it off in 5 seconds or points are deducted. (small note…in my test, she said “ turn on the upper lights….then…..turn off the lights” I was confused as I call these high beams….you can also not pause between turning up to high beams and back down when you turn them off she will count it as a fail.) Hurdle 2: “T-parking” Important: You must complete ‘T-parking’ in 1 minute or it is an automatic fail. DO NOT DO THIS AS YOU WOULD DRIVE NORMALLY. I did and almost took too longlining up the doors. Hagwons teach ‘T-parking’ a specific way by lining up mirrors and turning the wheel. Using the trick to line up the mirror with to the parking lines helped. A final tip for this one, you need to pull the emergency brake. I did not find this mentioned in English. When you back up the car and pass the white line, automatically pull up the emergency brake until you hear a chime. Then you may start to exit the T-parking zone. Resources for studying for the T-parking: Hurdle 3: Express way zone This portion isn’t difficult, just make sure you maintain over 20km about 5 meters AFTERyou pass the sign.. then slow back down within 5 meters AFTER you pass the next slowdown sign. ( I failed at the end because I slowed down before the sign.) After you do the simulated ‘expressway’, turn on your RIGHT blinker to let the test know you’redone. Then it will announce if you passed or failed. The Next Step Step 4: Road Test (Fee: 25,000 won) 80% pass Road Test Details The ‘Road Test’ is the final part of the Korean Driver’s License exam process. This is when you get out on the road with a proctor in a car provided by the testing center. You do not take the driving exam in your own vehicle. The testing vehicle has been rigged with computers which help with the testing. This test might be taken alone or with another test-taker in the car. One of you will take the test on the drive away from the testing center...

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Unfamiliar with the Korean expressway and HiPass system? We’ve got your covered. Making the most of your stay in Korea means taking advantage of every opportunity to travel.  For most trips that are over 2 hours away, OR when driving into Seoul, you may encounter at least one toll along the way. Setting up a HiPass system can make such trips less stressful and save you money. Here is what you need to know. About Korean Expressways Korean expressways are toll roads that crisscross South Korea. Korean Expressway Corporation manages the expressways in South Korea. The program began in 1968 and now manages over 4,000km of roadways. Using Korean expressways can save you hours of drive time. Taking the expressway from Pyeongtaek to Sokcho can take as little as 3.5 hours while a non-express way trip could take 8-12 hours. Learning about the Korean Expressways before jumping on the road can greatly reduce your stress and improve your travel experience. We recommend reading this blog and then watching the following video to help put the content into context. Korean Expressway Toll Gates A driver passes through two toll gates on a Korean expressway. The first gate marks the beginning of the toll fee and the second gate marks the end of the toll fee. Drivers usually pay Korean expressway tolls upon exiting the expressway. However, there are some unique areas that do charge upon entering a small stretch of expressway. Such unique situations tend to occur in areas surrounding Seoul. About Korean Expressway Tolls Korean expressway toll fees are calculated according to the following criteria: Korean expressway toll fees should be paid using either a Korean debit card with a transportation function (you need to set up the transportation function at your bank), cash, or a Hi-Pass card. Some (but maybe not all) expressway toll booths accept cash. To keep life simple, South of Seoul encourages drivers to get HiPass. The Hi-Pass system allows drivers to pay tolls without having to stop at toll booths. As of 2020, over 50% of Korean drivers use a HiPass card. Kakao Maps and Naver Maps tell you your estimated toll fee when they route your journey. If you use either of these apps to route your trip you should not be surprised by toll fees. Make sure the expressway toll fees reflected in your Naver Map or Kakao Map apps are correct by customizing your app to reflect your information. Below you can see that the user has a small car using an alternate fuel and has HiPass installed. Such detail will ensure that their estimated tolls reflect their individual situation. Pro-Tip: If you drive a 경차 (lightweight vehicle) you get a 50% discount on expressway toll fees. Such vehicles include cars such as the Matiz, Morning, Spark, and Ray. Pro-Tip: HiPass users may get a discount for using a HiPass depending on the time of day and highway. Hi-Pass discounts vary between 5% to 50% depending on the situation. About HiPass Lanes for HiPass Holders A driver must choose between HiPass and Non-HiPass lanes at both the entrance and exit of their journey. As previously mentioned in this blog post, a driver passes through two toll gates on a Korean expressway and their lane choices need to match their payment options. If you have your information added to Kakao or Naver map apps, these apps may help guide you to the correct lane at each toll gate. About HiPass On-Board Units To use such HiPass lanes the driver must have both an On-Board Unit (OBU) which is installed at the front of the vehicle, and a Hi-Pass card that is inserted into the OBU. If a person only has a HiPass card they can not use the HiPass lanes as the lane needs an OBU to read the card from a distance. The OBU, sometimes marketed as a “Hi-Pass device” or ETC unit (Electronic Toll Collection), is produced by a variety of manufacturers.  You can find OBUs in a variety of locations such as: The OBU devices come in many different shapes, sizes, styles, and price ranges. Some need to be wired into the vehicle while others run off of solar power. Special Announcement for US Military: Purchasing a HiPass on Camp Humphreys At Camp Humphreys, you may purchase an OBU and Hi-Pass in the Main PX Exchange BLDG 5700.  About HiPass Cards for HiPass On-Board Units There are three types of HiPass cards. Depending on your Korean visa type and bank account situation, you can choose between: About Re-fillable HiPass Cards Re-fillable HiPass cards do not require a Korean bank account or Korea FRC. You can purchase re-fillable HiPass cards at the following locations: Once you have a card and device, it may need to be registered and the form looks something like the following as of 2021: To register for the Hi-Pass you will need your Korean vehicle registration, driver’s license, and possibly a registration fee depending on the situation. Re-fillable Hi-Pass Plus cards can be re-filled/re-charged at a variety of locations including About Auto Loading (자동충전) HiPass Cards In order to use an auto-loading HiPass card, you will need to have a Korean FRC, a Korean smartphone under your name, and a Korean Bank account linked to your FRC and smartphone. Once the auto charging card has been activated and linked to a Korean bank account, a pre-determined amount is automatically added to the card each month. You can set up your auto-loading HiPass card on the HiPass website. You can purchase an Auto Charge HiPass card at the following locations: Pro-Tip: Not every bank may allow international residents to use an auto-loading card. About Auto-Charging HiPass Cards Auto-charging HiPass cards are connected to Korean credit cards. HiPass automatically charges for the fees used each month. The cards do not need to be loaded since you pay as you go. It may be more complicated for international residents in Korea to obtain. Credit cards are only available for certain visas, with certain job types, etc. However, a number of South of Seoul volunteers on different visa types have credit cards through Hana Bank that offer an auto-charging HiPass card option. Pro-Tip: Banks may confuse a request to set up an auto-loading card with a request for an auto-charging card. Recognizing HiPass Lanes Many entry and exit gates will clearly label the Hi-Pass lane in bright blue. These lanes are designated for cars with a Hi-Pass OBU (onboard unit) and Hi-Pass card. Not all HiPass lanes have the same speed limit. Notice, the speed limit for going through the HiPass gate has been painted on the road over the blue line. All other vehicles are expected to use the other lanes.  Some entry and exit gates will have additional lanes for large work vehicles. These lanes often have large yellow frames but this may not be the case. Common HiPass Errors Experienced by Foreigners It’s common to experience one or all of the following challenges as a new user of the Korean expressway systems. Don’t panic, the system was not designed to be a burden. You will be ok and it is unlikely you will experience untenable financial consequences. Error 1: Passing Through A HiPass Gate Without HiPass If you accidentally run a HiPass lane and the siren goes off, don’t panic. Remember the place you entered and tell the attendant when you exit the tollway. Here are the options that you have. As of 2020, the Korean Expressway Corporation does not charge a ticket for making mistakes on toll roads, they simply charge you the price of the toll (so don’t panic). Solution A: Pay at the toll when you leave In our experience, we took note of the name of my entry gate and briefly explained our mistake to the toll agent, who made a quick phone call, then told me the amount I had to pay. It was a hassle-free exchange that took less than a minute. The price I was charged was also the same as the price listed on Naver. Another great reason for using Naver, it lists toll fees for your route. If you need help communicating with the toll booth attendant use 1330. Solution B: Wait for the HiPass Bill in the Mail If you accidentally go through a Hi-Pass lane without an OBU, then you will likely be mailed a traffic ticket. If you go through the entry gate and forget to grab a ticket or if the ticket doesn’t print, don’t fret. The toll agent at the exit gate will calculate your toll at the next booth.  How to Pay Your HiPass Bill If you get a HiPass bill in the mail you can pay the bill 1) at your Korean bank or 2) at a HiPass office, or 3) Korean bank transfer via ATM or smartphone. We always recommend having a Korean bank account to help make such situations as stress-free as possible. If you accidentally forget to pay your expressway toll fee bill, they do not charge excessive penalties. In fact, there are often no late fee penalties. Just get it paid as soon as you can. Error 2: Passing Through a Non-HiPass Gate with a HiPass Card If you have a HiPass reader and accidentally pass through a cash gate, do not worry. Simply remove your HiPass card from your HiPass Reader and give it to the cashier. You do not need to pay with a card or cash, just hand them your Hi-Pass card Error 3: Hi-Pass Card Has No Money If you have a re-fillable or auto-loading card you may accidentally take a trip without enough money on your card, don’t panic. Solution A: Pay as you exit If you realize your mistake upon entering the expressway you can simply pay at the toll gate with your Korean debit card with a transportation function (you need to set up the transportation function at your bank) or cash. Solution B: Wait for the bill If you realize your mistake up exciting the expressway just wait for the bill in the mail and go get your card filled. Avoiding Korean Expressways and HiPass System If you are not fond of using the Korean Expressway and HiPass system, both Naver Map and Kakao Map apps allow users to set trip preferences including routes that don’t use tollways. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Grab your loved one and head to the east coast for a romantic getaway! Check out our recommendations. You don’t want to miss this trip. You feel new after a visit to the east sea. Grab your special someone and pack your bags for YangYang, an outdoor lover’s paradise. YangYang, Gangwon-do is located between Sokcho and Gangneung and offers access to beaches, surfing, hiking, temples, delicious food, and beautiful landscapes. Things to do in YangYang, Gangwon-do You will find many different places to stay in YangYang from fancy pants hotels to classic Korean-style pensions, you can create a trip that’s perfect for you and your partner. Two places that we recommend happen to be right next to each other. If you don’t mind splurging, go with Hotel Two Y which has a rooftop pool. However, more budget-minded couples will enjoy the Maldives which is right across the road and hosts a stunning bakery-cafe with views of the sea. For activities, you will find a plethora of surfing and hiking along with stunning temples and great food. We try to only do one sight-seeing thing a day since the drive is so long and we don’t want to be too tired on Monday. Traffic While Driving to Gangwon-do Traffic is a real issue when traveling to Gangwondo so here is my advice: 1) It’s VERY important to leave your area VERY EARLY when traveling across Korea from the west to the east on the weekends. That means you want to be out of the house by 7 am (or leave Friday night and drive late). If you don’t do this you can spend all day in traffic. 2) It is also recommended that you don’t start the drive back on Sunday until after 6 pm and maybe even after 8 pm. The traffic may be so bad if you leave earlier that you could end up spending 8-12 hours in traffic. This happens more often than not. However, very few people drive at night so leaving late means you often have a straight shot home. 3) Plan for traffic and make sure that you have things to do in the car. Stop and enjoy the rest stops if you need to and if traffic is great, stop for NOTHING!!! Don’t risk the traffic catching up with you. Check out our recommendations below! Where to stay on YangYang Where to Eat Where to Grab Coffee Where to Play We hope you have an awesome time in YangYang. Make sure to add all of the places you discover on your trip to the South of Seoul app which is available for Android and iPhone. Join the Pyeongtaek Travelers Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Travelers. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly travelers (most who live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea) sharing their adventure across the country. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Is navigating Korea stressful? Try using Naver Maps. Let me give you quick tutorial to help you get started. Additional South of Seoul Blogs Related to Map Apps South of Seoul volunteers recommend that you do as much research and reading on using maps in South Korea as possible. Learning to use South Korean map apps may be the most stressful and frustrating aspect of relocating to South Korea. However, if you stay diligent and treat it as a skill to learn – you will overcome the adaptation hurdles and become a mapping superhero. When you finish reading this blog, we recommend checking out these as well. What is Naver maps? Naver Maps is an online Korean mapping system that is both web and app-based. Naver Maps was one of the first Korean-made mapping services to offer an English version. The other options are Kakao Maps (also a Korean mapping service) and Waze (owned by Google), which is a consumer-generated mapping service. Because of its versatility, ease of use, functionality, and longevity, Naver Maps is the most widely used by ex-pats. Through Naver Maps you can get walking, public transportation, and driving directions. You can also search for restaurants and other points of interest like temples, movie theaters, banks, and other attractions. Let’s take a look at some of the basics in more detail. How can I get started with using Naver Maps on my mobile phone? Here are some simple tips that will get you started quick. Download the App Although the desktop version and the app version of Naver Maps have many of the same functionality, only the app version is available in English. We will focus on the app version for this tutorial. Changing the Language The Naver Maps app should default to the language setting of your device. This does not always happen. If your map is mostly in Korean, don’t panic. There is an easy way to change the language settings. Navigating using Naver Maps Some quick notes about transportation options and features: Once you select your route, you can scroll up to see the detailed directions at the bottom. You can also tap on any part of the detailed directions to get a closer view. Tap it again to get more information. Pro Tip: Click on the scoped arrow icon on the bottom left of the map to show your current location. You will see your current location via a blue circle. This can be super helpful to double-check that you are moving in the right direction. Angie Alvis, M. EdAngela Alvis holds a Master’s in Education and Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology. Ms. Alvis specializes in curriculum development and instructional design. Angela Alvis has a depth and breadth of experience in education and early childhood that has taken her across the world to work in a variety of school settings, from rural programs to large urban districts, and everything from ECSE and DLL classrooms to childcare and university settings. Prior to her work with South of Seoul, Ms. Alvis spent several years leading the wide-scale implementation of play-based learning and a formative assessment model with over 120 educators in five early childhood schools that served over 15,000 students in Washington D.C. After transitioning back to the US, Ms. Alvis became the Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives at Tools of the Mind, she works on cross-departmental teams as the education and content expert. She is currently co-designing a multi-faceted teacher development model that integrates workshops, video coaching, and professional learning communities.

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One of our main goals at South of Seoul (SOS) is to empower our readers and users to explore Pyeongtaek on their own and share the things they love with others. This sounds easy, except that the language barrier and maps issues make this far harder than it should be. How in the world do you quickly and easily share a business location when you can’t read anything or talk to anyone? We have the hack for you! All you need to know are numbers. This is possibly the best-kept secret in the world of Korean navigation. Hold on to your trousers because we are about to make your life a whole heck of a lot better. Use the Phone Number instead of the Addresses Yes, it’s that easy. You don’t have to use the address in NaverNavi or KakaoNavi, you can just plug into a landline phone number. This is also the easiest way to share locations with others. No more struggling with Hangul keyboards or trying to search for the address of your location. Just find their phone number. This is why we include phone numbers in the South of Seoul app. True, this doesn’t help you search for things but it helps you find what you know is there. The following image shows how we pulled up Sokcho Red Crab in both KakaoNavi and NaverMaps using this trick. Both of these smartphone apps have an English language interface. We also include the Hangul writing of the name so you can match it to the listing when it’s written in Korean in your navigation. Sure, you might not be able to read it, but you can match words like pictures. LANDLINE REQUIRED, NO CELL PHONE NUMBERS: There is one big trick to this, the number needs to be a landline and not a cell phone. The landline number is almost always posted on the front of the building awning or sign AND printed on the receipts. (If the number starts with 010 or 070 it’s NOT a landline. This does happen.) That means, in order to share the address in the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun FB Group you JUST need a photo of the businesses: business card, sign, or receipt. You don’t need to know any KOREAN! In order to find the location just plug in that number. This is why we just take pictures of signs, receipts, or business cards when we take pictures of our meal. It makes documentation and sharing very easy (although we do often fail to share the image with the number because we are tired, overcommitted, and human.) EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE:  In rural areas, very new businesses, they posted their cell phone, or business that might not be legal – this might not work. Maybe 8% of the time we run into these issues. Interestingly enough, the problem is often near the US Air Force Bases. Maybe they don’t bother to register everything with Naver for various reasons. Also, and very importantly, sometimes the restaurant will only post six digits of their number and not use the area code. You will notice this in the image above for the Sokcho Red Crab. Their sign doesn’t include the area code. You need the area code to use the number in maps. Don’t worry, we aren’t going to leave you hanging! For Pyeongtaek you must have 031 in front of a seven-digit number. That means, if the number on the sign is only 7 digits, be sure to just add 031 to it…. also use the dashes. Remember that 010 and 070 are cell phones or call centers and will not help you find addresses. Here is a list of codes you will need for areas around us. Pyeongtaek = 031-xxx-xxxx Anseong = 031-xxx-xxxx Osan = 031-xxx-xxxxx Suwon = 031-xxx-xxxx Hwaseong = 031-xxx-xxxx Cheonan = 041-xxx-xxxx Asan = 041-xxx-xxxx Seoul = 02-xxx-xxxx CAR NAVIGATION: Also, this trick may work with your car navigation. We know it does for taxis but we haven’t personally ever used the installed car navi solutions. We only use the navi apps on our smart phones. TAXIS: It certainly helps when needing to give the taxi directions. Just give them the phone number and they can take you straight there without confusion. Are your minds blown yet? This hack is how we are able to move quickly around the area. We rarely struggle with entering the address, we just plug in the phone number and go. (We confess to being pretty annoyed when a business only shares a cell phone number. It’s like, “Why do you hate us?”) We will repeat that this doesn’t always work well in the areas close to the US Military bases, especially if the businesses are foreigner owned. Works great in the other areas. Go forth and explore! Also, PLEASE share this information with everyone you know who are struggling with navigation. Also be sure to share landline phone numbers in your posts in the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook group. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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