Oregon, S. Korea to sign driver license agreement

Nov. 30, 2011
ODOT News Release No. 11-292
News media contact: David House, 503-945-5270

NEWSROOMS: Reporters and photographers are welcome at the signing ceremony

Oregon, S. Korea to sign driver license agreement

Deal will ease obtaining license for Koreans living in Oregon, Oregonians living in S. Korea

Representatives of the Republic of Korea and the state of Oregon will sign an agreement Friday, Dec. 2, that will make it easier to obtain a driver license for Koreans in Oregon and Oregonians in South Korea.

This reciprocity agreement will allow current holders of passenger-vehicle driving privileges in Oregon to obtain similar driving privileges in South Korea without taking a driving skills test. Likewise, the agreement will allow holders of comparable passenger-vehicle driver licenses issued by the Republic of Korea to obtain an Oregon driver license without a drive test.

All other eligibility requirements and fees in Oregon and the Republic of Korea still will be required.

“Oregon is joining several other states, including Washington, in establishing driver license reciprocity with the Republic of Korea,” Oregon DMV Administrator Tom McClellan said. “This agreement is a symbol of strengthened business, education and tourism relationships between the Republic of Korea and the state of Oregon.”

This will be Oregon’s first driver license reciprocity agreement with a foreign country. Oregon and the Republic of Korea began negotiations on driver license reciprocity in May 2011 and concluded an agreement in early November.

Consul General Young Wan Song of the consulate in Seattle will sign the agreement on behalf of the Republic of Korea. Oregon Department of Transportation Director Matthew Garrett will sign on behalf of Oregon.

The signing will take place at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, in the Governor’s Ceremonial Office at the Oregon Capitol in Salem.

The agreement will take effect upon signing, and DMV will begin accepting reciprocity applicants on Monday, Dec 5. To apply for an Oregon driver license, Koreans living in Oregon will need to visit a full-service DMV office. For office hours and locations, visit www.OregonDMV.com.

Whenever people need Oregon DMV services, DMV recommends that they first check www.OregonDMV.com. Customers may be able to complete DMV business online or find out how to prepare and make their DMV visit as efficient as possible. They also can find locations and business hours of all DMV offices.

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