1. In an effort to make it easier for nationals of the Republic of Korea residing in Hawaii to obtain driver’s licenses, the ROK Consulate-General in Honolulu, starting in 2015, has actively and successfully sought to persuade the local Governor, Department of Transportation, Senators and Representatives to amend the relevant law to exempt holders of foreign driver’s licenses from taking written and driving tests in Hawaii, if the validity of driver’s licenses is mutually recognized by Hawaii and the countries concerned.

2. Under the amended law, the validity of driver’s licenses issued outside the US will now be recognized, making it possible for the ROK government to seek an agreement with Hawaii on the mutual recognition of driver’s licenses.

3. Now that the relevant law has been amended in Hawaii, the ROK Foreign Ministry, through its Consulate-General in the state, plans to seek an ROK-Hawaii agreement on the mutual recognition of driver’s licenses as soon as possible in order to improve convenience of ROK nationals living in Hawaii.


* unofficial translation