Q.Questions for Mr. John Oh
지역California
아이디m**ev****
조회4,073
공감0
작성일9/29/2010 10:06:33 PM
Dear Mr. John Oh
I would very much like you to clarify on the following issues.
You keep saying Korean International license is not valid in California. When Korean visitors say 'International Driver License,' they actually mean 'International Driving Permit.' An International Driving Permit (IDP) allows an individual to drive a private motor vehicle in another nation when accompanied by a valid license from their home country. U.S. is participating country in Geneva Convention on Road Traffic which allows foreigners from other participating countries to drive if certain conditions are met as described below.
CHAPTER V. DRIVERS OF MOTOR VEHICLES IN INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC
Article 24
1. Each Contracting State shall allow any driver admitted to its territory who fulfils the conditions which are set out in Annex 8 and who holds a valid driving permit issued to him, after he has given proof of his competence, by the competent authority of another Contracting State or subdivision thereof, or by an Association duly empowered by such authority, to drive on its roads without further examination motor vehicles of the category or categories defined in Annexes 9 and 10 for which the permit has been issued.
2. A Contracting State may however require that any driver admitted to its territory shall carry an international driving permit conforming to the model contained in Annex 10, especially in the case of a driver coming from a country where a domestic driving permit is not required or where the domestic permit issued to him does not conform to the model contained in Annex 9.
I would also like to cite a California Vehicle Code section which states:
12502. (a) The following persons may operate a motor vehicle in
this state without obtaining a driver's license under this code:
(1) A nonresident over the age of 18 years having in his or her
immediate possession a valid driver's license issued by a foreign
jurisdiction of which he or she is a resident, except as provided in
Section 12505.
In conclusion, visitors from Korea (which also is a Geneva Convention participating country), possessing a International Driving Permit accompanied by a valid driver license issued by proper authority, may drive a vehicle in Californai while visiting. As a long time cop in California, my fellow officers or I never have questioned or cited any driver on the road with a valid International Driving Permit accompanied by a driver license from his or her country for driving without license.
There are, however, illegal practice by criminals who advertise to sell 'International Driver License' to mainly undocumented aliens who are desperate to obtain driver license in the U.S.
Mr. Oh, I would welcome your valuable advice if you feel that I am misled by any kind of misinterpretation of the laws or articles I cited.
Respectfully submitted.