| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
sesyeux
Joined: 20 Jul 2009
Location: king 'arrys
|
 Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 10:05 pm Post subject: drivers license needed to drive |
 |
|
...a 50cc scooter?
this may sound ridiculous. of course i am convinced you need one, be it an international or, i guess, my home country. however, i have heard from no less than 4 separate individuals [who shall remain nameless] unconnected with each other, that you do not need either a] a license b] insurance or c] tags to drive one here in south korea.
anyone got any answers? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
dunkman_nz
Joined: 31 Dec 2010
Location: New Zealand
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 10:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| sorry I dont have an answer for you but I wouldnt be surprised if no license neccesary - in my country you dont need one for 50cc scooters |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nathanrutledge
Joined: 01 May 2008
Location: Marakesh
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 11:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Absolutely you need a license, and registration, and insurance. Check out the Drivers License Administration website (dla.go.kr) You need at least a class 2 license. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
sadguy
Joined: 13 Feb 2011
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 11:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| you might get more informed answers in the motorcycle/scooter sticky thread |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
myenglishisno
Joined: 08 Mar 2011
Location: Geumchon
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 11:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I think if it's less than 50cc (0-49cc) you don't need a license or registration. Don't quote me on that.
You should get your driver's license anyway. It's easy. Just swap your home license for a Korean one. That way you can ride anything up to a 125cc.
Last edited by myenglishisno on Wed Apr 27, 2011 11:24 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ramen
Joined: 15 Apr 2008
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 11:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| myenglishisno wrote: |
I think if it's less than 50cc (0-49cc) you don't need a license or registration. Don't quote me on that.
You should get your driver's license anyway. It's easy. Just swap your home license for a Korean one. |
correct.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nathanrutledge
Joined: 01 May 2008
Location: Marakesh
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 11:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Ramen wrote: |
| myenglishisno wrote: |
I think if it's less than 50cc (0-49cc) you don't need a license or registration. Don't quote me on that.
You should get your driver's license anyway. It's easy. Just swap your home license for a Korean one. |
correct. |
Not correct. READ THE WEBSITE - WWW.DLA.GO.KR
It has ALL of the information you need. If you are driving ANYTHING with a motor on a public right-of-way, you are REQUIRED to have a license. Registration and insurance is also MANDATORY.
I cannot stress how important this is. DO not skip a single step. If you fail to get your license, or register your scooter/motorcycle, and you're in an accident, your insurance won't cover you. If you think that you can ride around without insurance, let me remind you, a scooter with a 49 cc engine can hit upwards of 100kmh. A jaywalking kid and game over. Don't think it can happen to you? I have years of motorcycle experience. I have taken a few of the MSF classes. I have driven over 150,000 miles in cars, trucks, and motorcycles both personally and professionally. My record is spotless - save for a jaywalking child that I clipped on my motorcycle in Korea. When I arrived in Korea, I asked the POLICE about registering my motorcycle, and they said below 125 it was not necessary. Turns out, IT WAS! My insurance wouldn't cover it because it was an illegal vehicle.
I cannot stress this enough. The law is easy to find. Don't be stupid. Register, insure, license. It CAN happen to you. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
CentralCali
Joined: 17 May 2007
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 11:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| myenglishisno wrote: |
| Just swap your home license for a Korean one. |
This is not correct, either, for certain nationalities. For us Americans, we have to sit an exam. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ramen
Joined: 15 Apr 2008
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 11:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| nathanrutledge wrote: |
| Ramen wrote: |
| myenglishisno wrote: |
I think if it's less than 50cc (0-49cc) you don't need a license or registration. Don't quote me on that.
You should get your driver's license anyway. It's easy. Just swap your home license for a Korean one. |
correct. |
Not correct. READ THE WEBSITE - WWW.DLA.GO.KR
It has ALL of the information you need. If you are driving ANYTHING with a motor on a public right-of-way, you are REQUIRED to have a license. Registration and insurance is also MANDATORY.
I cannot stress how important this is. DO not skip a single step. If you fail to get your license, or register your scooter/motorcycle, and you're in an accident, your insurance won't cover you. If you think that you can ride around without insurance, let me remind you, a scooter with a 49 cc engine can hit upwards of 100kmh. A jaywalking kid and game over. Don't think it can happen to you? I have years of motorcycle experience. I have taken a few of the MSF classes. I have driven over 150,000 miles in cars, trucks, and motorcycles both personally and professionally. My record is spotless - save for a jaywalking child that I clipped on my motorcycle in Korea. When I arrived in Korea, I asked the POLICE about registering my motorcycle, and they said below 125 it was not necessary. Turns out, IT WAS! My insurance wouldn't cover it because it was an illegal vehicle.
I cannot stress this enough. The law is easy to find. Don't be stupid. Register, insure, license. It CAN happen to you. |
was told by dmv agent that you don't need a DL for less than 50cc motorbike.
in an accident, liability wise, it's same as any other vehicle including bicycle. you ride your bicycle and run over someone, you'll be fined and liable for their death or injury. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
sadguy
Joined: 13 Feb 2011
|
| Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 12:10 am Post subject: |
|
|
| CentralCali wrote: |
| myenglishisno wrote: |
| Just swap your home license for a Korean one. |
This is not correct, either, for certain nationalities. For us Americans, we have to sit an exam. |
and you also need to get an affidavit verifying your US license.
like i said, go to the motorcycle/scooter sticky thread, people will be informed there.
i don't get why you would post advice to something and then say "don't quote me on that." why post it at all in the first place?? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Jake_Kim
Joined: 27 Aug 2005
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 12:14 am Post subject: |
|
|
<50cc scooters are not required to have license PLATES.
A driver still needs a license to drive a vehicle as far as it is 'motorized,' regardless of engine displacement.
If you don't want to be bothered with the whole process for a common Class 2 Regular license, that's fine, but you need to get a Class 2 Motorcycle license at least. (covering up to 124cc, anything larger requires a 'Class 2 Small' license) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
myenglishisno
Joined: 08 Mar 2011
Location: Geumchon
|
| Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 12:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
| sadguy wrote: |
| CentralCali wrote: |
| myenglishisno wrote: |
| Just swap your home license for a Korean one. |
This is not correct, either, for certain nationalities. For us Americans, we have to sit an exam. |
and you also need to get an affidavit verifying your US license.
like i said, go to the motorcycle/scooter sticky thread, people will be informed there.
i don't get why you would post advice to something and then say "don't quote me on that." why post it at all in the first place?? |
Because nobody ever really knows?
Even in the motorcycle thread people don't know. Someone posted about a month ago in that thread that you do need a motorcycle license for all scooters and motorcycles above 50cc now but I couldn't verify this anywhere.
A lot of it is just hearsay. As another poster in this thread pointed out, even the police didn't know you have to have a scooter registered. THE POLICE.
I think the best policy is just to be overprepared. Get your license, register your vehicle no matter what size it is and get insurance... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
sadguy
Joined: 13 Feb 2011
|
| Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 12:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
| fair enough, but you gave the OP faulty advice. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Jake_Kim
Joined: 27 Aug 2005
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 12:58 am Post subject: |
|
|
| myenglishisno wrote: |
| sadguy wrote: |
| CentralCali wrote: |
| myenglishisno wrote: |
| Just swap your home license for a Korean one. |
This is not correct, either, for certain nationalities. For us Americans, we have to sit an exam. |
and you also need to get an affidavit verifying your US license.
like i said, go to the motorcycle/scooter sticky thread, people will be informed there.
i don't get why you would post advice to something and then say "don't quote me on that." why post it at all in the first place?? |
Because nobody ever really knows?
Even in the motorcycle thread people don't know. Someone posted about a month ago in that thread that you do need a motorcycle license for all scooters and motorcycles above 50cc now but I couldn't verify this anywhere.
A lot of it is just hearsay. As another poster in this thread pointed out, even the police didn't know you have to have a scooter registered. THE POLICE.
I think the best policy is just to be overprepared. Get your license, register your vehicle no matter what size it is and get insurance... |
Well, it's the government officials' fault, but at the same it's not.
Drivers license and vehicle registration are covered by two different statutes in South Korea, but legal definition and classification of motorized vehicles, especially of motorcycles/mopeds, have never been properly harmonized while certain inconsistency exists, creating much confusion as much as some loopholes in their interpretation.
As far as drivers license is concerned, nevertheless, there is no exemption from having to acquire and possess one. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
CentralCali
Joined: 17 May 2007
|
| Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 2:50 am Post subject: |
|
|
| sadguy wrote: |
| CentralCali wrote: |
| myenglishisno wrote: |
| Just swap your home license for a Korean one. |
This is not correct, either, for certain nationalities. For us Americans, we have to sit an exam. |
and you also need to get an affidavit verifying your US license. |
Luckily for me, I got my Korean driver's license before that went into effect. Also lucky is that the period of validity for the thing is nine years. A key point to remember is that the license expires nine years after the issue date; however, the renewal period extends three months after the expiration date.
| Quote: |
| i don't get why you would post advice to something and then say "don't quote me on that." why post it at all in the first place?? |
I didn't. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
