Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wsiggins]

Not sure if I should be in the buy/sell/trade forum for this one, so I'll apologize in advance if I'm in the wrong space.

I've had small cross country dirt bikes in Canada and used them without a license, and I drove small motorbikes all across South East Asia (again, without a license) but what will I be allowed in Korea?

Haven't moved there yet, about to relocate to Chuncheon in a month (from Toronto), so I was wondering what the rules are on people with bikes- do I have to get a special license? I think I had heard if the bike is under a certain CC then I can just transfer over my Canadian car license (again, NOT a Canadian motorcycle license, I've never had one) and use that?

Also, anyone know the rough estimates for a small bike/scooter/vespa-ish kinda deal? New/used?

[earthbound14]

yes.

Bring your Canadian license and an international license.

You can change your valid Canuck license for a Korean one, although they are keeping them these days (as in you will need to return your Korean license when you leave to get your Canuck one back....lame).

The reason I suggest you bring an international license is so you can rent a car if you so please. Korean car rental places area a little retarded...I'll explain.

You need to have a minimum of 1 year driving experience to rent a car and 3 years experience to rent a van (not applied to Koreans though cause they are clearly superior)...you cannot rent a truck if you every decide to move (you can hire someone cheaply though). Once you change your license to a Korean one you will have no proof that you have been driving for a year. Even if you have an expired license that proves you have 10 years experience with you...I'm sorry sir, it's expired....of course it's expired you git I've been here for the last 8 months and I changed it for a Korean one, it still proves that I've been driving for the last 10 years!!!!

The international license will save you from this nonsense. And if you choose not to get the Korean license you can putter around on you International license until the year is up with no hassles from the cops or the rental retards.

[wsiggins]

Very informative, anywhere on the web where I can get one? I google'd it but the first few pages looked pretty scam-ish. I'll try calling my local Ministry of Transportation office if you don't know though. Thanks!

[wsiggins]

http://www.caa.ca/travel/travel-permits-e.cfm hmmm maybe this is what I need, found it from here:
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/before/faq/international_driving-en.asp
(for any other fellow Canadians who might be interested)

[Bibbitybop]

http://english.seoul.go.kr/residents/transport/trans_07driv_01.html

The law.



Yes, bring your home license with international license. You must have both to be legal. You can drive cars and motobikes 125cc or less. Motorbikes with more than 125cc engines require a motorcycle endorsement.

You can trade your home license for a Korean license, but if you have a MC endorsement, they won't trade that (though I need to call them, it's been awhile). I have a MC and won't get a Korean license for this reason.