Driving instructor Joseph Kim’s first student of the day never drove in Korea, but needs a crash course, so to speak, for her new L.A. life.

“Let’s go,” the 63-year-old Kim says calmly, his eyes looking in all directions. Kim, owner of Eden Driving School, came to the U.S. in 1986, and has been a driving instructor for nine years.

As the young woman prepares to pull onto a residential street northwest of Koreatown, I re-check my backseat safety belt and reassure myself Kim has dual brakes and a gas pedal. 

The student creeps along, makes bumpy stops, and turns with Kim’s hand on the wheel. We practice steering, turning, stopping. At a left turn, an SUV barrels towards us. My heart skips a beat. But with Kim’s help, the student turns safely. After a break, we’re ready to practice signal light turns in Koreatown.

At 6th and Harvard, we make a slow left turn. Behind us, a honking young male driver zooms past and yells profanities. 

Kim ignores the rude driver.

“Let’s go.”

***

Weeks before I cringed in Joseph Kim’s backseat, I’d set out to understand Koreans who teach other Koreans to drive in congested Southern California.

Seong Un Joe, owner of Vija Driving & Traffic School, poses at his Los Angeles office

I found there are some 75 Korean driving instructors and a few dozen Korean driving schools in Southern California. The instructors I met are educated middle-aged Korean immigrants — family men with a fondness for Toyota Corollas. Most teach part-time, as independent instructors or for schools. Some see it as temporary work, others enjoy it. A few approach the job like a mission. In fact, several are pastors.

Pastor Jay Lee meets me for coffee across from Koreatown’s Vija Driving & Traffic School, where he works 20 hours a week. At 39, he’s an assistant pastor at a Korean church. Lee, who immigrated in 1980, loves literature and writes poetry.

“So, why teach driving?” I ask.

“It’s a good job for a pastor,” says Lee, noting the flexible hours and extra income.

Korean driving schools are said to hire pastors because many are patient and communicate well. Lee says Korean women trust pastors. “If students trust you, teaching’s easier. I’m patient and enjoy teaching. It’s my gift.”

Before a lesson, Pastor Lee prays with his students for safety and a successful session. He sometimes also dispenses advice on personal matters. “Some ask me personal or spiritual questions. To listen and comfort is important. While some driving instructors are strictly businesslike, I treat my students to coffee. Human relations are important to Koreans.”

Driving instructor Ueon Bak in his car.

“How long will you teach driving?” I ask. 

“Maybe another 10 years, until I become a senior pastor.”

***

Vija Driving & Traffic School owner Seong Un Joe is known to Radio Korea listeners as “Dr. Driving.” Every morning the 48-year-old gives listeners driving tips. After finishing college in Korea, Joe came to L.A. in 1983 to further his education. But he needed a job to support his growing family,  so he went to work as a driving instructor in 1986.