Korean Job Discussion Forums

traxxe · Joined: 21 Feb 2007

Okay, so I need to get a car or a motorcycle this week but I don't have my Korean driver license. I'm waiting and applying for my replacement U.S. license this week. I had lost the original in my recent move.

So once I get the U.S. license in about two months I'll do everything to get a Korean license.

Can I still get insured? I'd hate to not be insured in Korea. I'm just buying a cheap car or a 125 cc bike. I understand if something happens without a license I'll be fined regardless of fault. Due to circumstances though I need to be getting myself to work on my own.

Cheonmunka · Joined: 04 Jun 2004

Please buy a car - I keep hearing of and seeing old photos of expats who were alive the last few years and are now not because of their motorbike. Just buy a cheap car.
I don't know about insurance, personally I don't have it, though I wish I did - the car I (often) drive is unregistered belonging to my BIL.

Lostone7 · Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Location: SE Asia

They wont ask for a license to get it registered or Insured.
Get a insurnce salemen he will do ALL the paperwork for both.

and a 125 CC needs niether.

good luck

you need more help PM

Imrahil · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:24 pm Post subject:

Do you have health insurance from your employer? 'cause you are going to need it.

Underwaterbob · Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Location: In Cognito

Bah, ignore the naysayers. I burned around on a 90cc for two years and felt safer than when I was walking. I live in a pretty small city though. I only stopped cause it was stolen and never bought a new one because I had recently acquired a girlfriend with a car and am still with her. With the nice weather lately I'm thinking about buying another one though. Scooter, not girlfriend, that is.

Imrahil · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:04 pm Post subject:

I don't mean my post as an insult to the op. It is everybody else that drives on these roads that would worry me, if I was him.

traxxe · Joined: 21 Feb 2007

I don't live in Seoul. I live on the edge of Suwon and there are no major roadways to worry about on my way to work.

Imrahil · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:51 pm Post subject:

But do you have health insurance? I mean the actual book they give you when both you and your boss are paying into it? I wouldn't drive any vechicle in this country without it. No matter how good of a driver you are.

traxxe · Joined: 21 Feb 2007

Yes, I have health insurance. I work at a University.

PeterDragon · Joined: 15 Feb 2007

Imrahil · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 12:59 am Post subject:

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:57 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, I have health insurance. I work at a University

Good then drive away, I wish you the best of luck.

diggler · Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Location: on way to amarillo

"They wont ask for a license to get it registered or Insured.
Get a insurnce salemen he will do ALL the paperwork for both.

and a 125 CC needs niether. "

not trying to be a 'know it all' but the fella who sold me my bike got fined over a hundred at the dong samso (office) when we were changing the ownership over. its a magma and he'd missed the last months insurance whilst it was sat there waiting to be sold. he thought that as long as he didnt get caught riding it then they wouldn't find out he wasn't insured. its a 125 magma btw.

which brings me to my question. having had the bike for 3 years now (and never being stopped) i missed the middle years insurance. i reinsured it last december but when i come to sell it and change over the ownership will i be hit with a years worth of no insurance fines? and before anyone says it - i know i should have and did know better!

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

You need to have a valid car drivers license (Korean, or International coupled with a valid home license) to drive a motorcycle 125cc and below. Above that requires a motorcycle endorsement.

You do need a license plate on a 125cc bike. I know that, and I'm pretty sure anything above a 50cc needs a plate.

As for insurance, you are supposed to have insurance to get the license plate on a bike. Maybe some connected insurance men (bike shops can do it, too) can get you around that necessity.

Insurance is very different in Korea. Even if you aren't at fault, you will be held liable for a percentage of the damage to another person's vehicle. My insurance, which covers the other vehicle but not my bike, was 144,000 won for the year. It's worth it for legal and money reasons.

Read more about this in the "Official motorcycle/scooter thread" in the off topics forum. It's long, but worth reading if you are going to ride the ROK.

Join Me · Joined: 14 Jan 2008

I would advise against operating anything other than a bicycle in Korea without a proper license. Insurance companies do not pay out when you are involved in an illegal activity and driving without the correct license is against the law.

Many people operate cars and motorcycles in Korea without insurance or the proper licenses. People do the same in your country. Fools.

If you are still considering riding a motorcycle in Korea without a proper license or insurance, you may want to search for the thread on the English teacher that recently died in an apartment fire in Korea. He also had no insurance and you can read about the hell you will be putting your family through should something happen to you. Not to mention the hell you will put another innocent family through if you get in an accident with a Korean and your insurance decides they don't want to cover the accident because you were breaking the law by driving without a proper license.

eddie1983man · Joined: 31 May 2007