Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SHANE02]

Currently, those with an automobile license can drive motorcycles of 125 cc or less without the need for a separate license. As 30 percent of accidents involving motorcycles are committed by such drivers, the new measure will force people to obtain a separate license for motorcycles.


http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/07/117_27770.html

[ricky_lamour]

That is very disappointing. Especially for those of us with a full UK motorbike license which they do not accept.

[Bibbitybop]

Wow, that really sucks for many people. The motorcycle road course is tough to pass simple because you have to do 2 narrow 90 degree turns on a bike that you've never ridden before. You have no chance to get used to the clutch.

[saw6436]

About Fu**ing time!

[Bibbitybop]

[JungMin]

[Bibbitybop]

[Underwaterbob]

What kind of bike do you have to do the test on?

I'm 6'5" and just over 200lbs. I dwarf my Magma.

[earthbound14]

[earthbound14]

This could be interesting.

Perhaps less people will ride bikes, more people will be riding on slow as shite 50cc scooters (which are more dangerous in my opinion) more people will be riding 250cc+ bikes (you need the license so why the hell not get a bike that you can really ride). Fewer foreigners will take the time to pass the test and ride bikes.

This could be good and bad. It might actually encourage them to start offering better riding courses similar to riding schools in the UK, the US or Japan, there might be demand for bigger bikes which will improve the market (the local companies will see more profit in offering bigger bikes and foreign companies might be compelled to lower their prices in order to move into the market as 250cc bikes might become the norm).

ON the flip side, it will be difficult to get a license, especially for westerners, as there isn't much available in terms of training, or places to practice (not many parking lots....and damn some of those old adjoshis get pissy about you practicing in their lots....). 50cc scooters are so damn slow and pointless, the Korean road system isn't really set up to hanlde lots of slow moving bikes (their are no bike lanes as in other countries...Taiwan and China have great bike lanes). This could really be a health risk for anyone trying to take their 50cc bike across some of the fast moving bridges. Exactly how are they going to enforce this? Cops do nothing as it is. Korea will likely use a smear campaing to make bikers look bad in order to get the job done.

[earthbound14]

[Underwaterbob]

It won't be enforced here. I (stupidly) rode a 90cc superlead around for almost two years, sometimes without a helmet, always without a license and was stopped once, asked one question (Where are you going?) and let go. I'm more less in the middle of nowhere Korea though.

[orosee]

[ricky_lamour]

[Bibbitybop]

According to government website and the Seoul Drivers License Agency, a home license coupled with an international license is valid in Korea. You would need a motorcycle endorsement on both the home and intl. license.


Keep in mind, this new law goes into effect in 2010. Plenty of time to get your MC endorsement on the Korean license.

You could also tell the UK you lost your license and get a replacement in the mail, assuming they do that. Or when you leave Korea, you can get your home license back by going to the DL office that has your license.



Everyone else should keep in mind: Seoul police have stepped up the random checking of motorcycle licenses, or regular licenses if you are on a smaller bike. I see them do this Dongdaemun, Hyehwa and other Jongno areas. I've been stopped twice this year at random and one time last year.