Korean Job Discussion Forums

[xeno439]

Looking for something preferably in the Suji/Yongin/Bundang area. As the title says, I am looking for a small scooter of the variety that doesn't require anything documents or tags to drive.

[Bibbitybop]

You still need a car drivers license, either Korean or an international license coupled with your home license.

[xeno439]

[lion]

[davehere22]

does anyone know the consequences of being caught without a licence on a 50cc bike or scooter?

[joesunsangnim]

yeah, the cop gives you the look of shame and tells you to be on your way.

yes, you technically need a standard car license for anything up to and including a 125cc bike. but in all actuality the cops rarely stop anyone, and if they do, play the ignorant foreigner card and you should be fine.

or take two hours one day and go get a license. it's not that hard.

[Bibbitybop]

[kevinkyle]

yeah !i being caught without a licence on a 50cc bike or scooter.because i go when redlight is on.he ask me where my licence and i just said that i h ave no licence.and the police said just go.theres a lot korean get caught too.but I'm the only one.they say go on now.i think 50 cc dont need lisence also. almost 3 years i have 50cc scooters without a licence,and also i have many friends have without a licence,50cc scooters

[joesunsangnim]

fair enough to those in jongro. i dont doubt that they take it seriously some places.

Im in bucheon and incheon, and have been stopped 2 or 3 times with no repercussions. but I do know that they get militant once or twice a summer at major intersections in seoul and incheon and will pull over ALL bikes to do a license check.

[nathanrutledge]

I live by Osan and I got the proverbial lube job by the local police for not having my international license, despite the fact that I had asked a police officer when I bought my bike about the laws and was given the all clear. Had my American license and didn't register the bike (as per the instructions I was given by the cop when I asked him last year). Involved in an accident, taking care of the damage was the easy part, the license and registration (despite again, having talked to a cop, and on the day of the accident being assured by the cop at the scene that my American license was fine and registration on that size was unnecessary) was (is) the hard part.

Long story short, get the proper license and register, even if you hear otherwise. Otherwise, be prepared to lose quite a bit.

[inthewild]

[bassexpander]

As I understand it, there may be a time in the near future where even 50cc scooters will need to register.

[deizio]

Yeah I heard regulations were tightening next year but haven't heard anything recently.

I've been stopped once in 2 years for a licence check (in the daytime on the street that runs off Itaewon main drag past the bottom of the hills, pretty weird place for a roadblock) by a bunch of conscript cops who had obviously been sent out to make themselves useful, just whipped out my K-licence without taking off my helmet and was waved on.

was also fined 40k after a city official snapped me riding on the sidewalk outside Samsung-2-dong office in Gangnam, they traced me through my plate and mailed the citation, so it does happen.

The one bump i got into that involved cops & insurance, there was no breath check, the cops left as soon as they knew I was licensed/insured and the ins. guy was coming. i got fingered so my ins paid out. not sure what it would have cost if i was uninsured.

the places i regularly pass police patrols are at the corner of Sinsa station & Hannam bridge, the Sinsa side of Hakdong junction, and Jangchung gymnasium heading for Itaewon / Namsan 2 tunnel; but they only seem interested in cars. mind you i never ride without a helmet, not sure if that would pique their interest or not. they always seem to hang next to the sidewalk, i dont see how they could grab you if you stay out next to the centre line.

cliff notes: get a licence & insurance. and gloves, a decent jacket and a helmet.

[Bibbitybop]

The Drivers License Agency said the new law for motorcycles needing a full MC license (right now only bikes above 125 need it) should happen this June, July, or August, but nothing is law yet.