Korean Job Discussion Forums

[digiboy]

hi

I will be starting a new job in Sancheong next week. (40 minutes from
Jinju, 2hrs from Busan)

I would like to purchase anything under 125cc (scooter ok) I have an
international drivers licence along with my Victorian (Australia) drivers
licence. I have never been to Sancheong before, and have been told it's a
rural town. Does anyone know any motorcycle shops near there? Or will I
have to go further afield...Changwon...Busan?

[le-paul]

ive ridden all over korea and Id say that most (if not all) towns/larger villages have at least one shop that sells 'citi 110's', 'daelims', scooters etc. (all 125 and below) and does repairs for the local delivery drivers.

Citis are the backbone of asia - they are literally everywhere in Korea.

(ps - you dont really need a drivers licence for anything less than 125cc).

If you need a bigger bike at some point, changwon is probably your best bet for serious bike shops.

[digiboy]

Thank�for�the�heads�up....

any�idea�what�I�should�pay....?

[digiboy]

Thank�for�the�heads�up....

any�idea�what�I�should�pay....?

[le-paul]

echo, echo...

about 400-600,000 for a scooter around the same for a citi 110. Bikes (125 cc ) usually cost around 600 - 800,000 - all of these second hand.

[nathanrutledge]

[le-paul]

i dont know a single foreigner with a license for an under 125cc. Every single one of them has crashed and not had any trouble with the police (even my friends with 500cc plus). If youre not living in seoul - the cops usually couldnt give a shit - especially down south. Did you read the OP? - hes living in a backwater.
I agree if you dont get it registered - you may have some trouble but for a scooter in the sticks? If you tried to insure a 50cc scooter theyd probably laugh at you! (as does happen actually).
It's always nice to have someone play the devils advocate role when youre asking for advice - but really, dont you think youre being a bit dramatic and over the top - you must be an 'merican are you?

SAY IT LOUD!!!

you are screwed with a capital 'F' !!! --

[digiboy]

Ok...

Thanks for the advice, I already have my drivers license (Victoria, Australia)
and an international drivers license (RACV).

Your advice sounds correct, as my international drivers license only lasts six months. How much does it cost to get a Korean Drivers license and insurance, also, where can this be obtained?

FYI...I will based outside of Busan...

(EDIT)

Now, I'm confused...whose answer is correct?

[le-paul]

first of all, if youre living in Sancheong (which is in Gyeongsangnam-do) mate - youre not just outside of Busan. Your just outside of Jinju - so your in the middle of rice fields and a 20 minute drive to a small town (jinju) where there are not too many foreigners (but thats another thread).
The other poster is right. I however am being realistic.

You can get insurance through the scooter shop probably if you can speak korean.
You can probably register the bike in Jinju (if there is no department of transport (which is where i registered my bike) there, you should go to the town hall. It shouldnt cost you more than 80,000 to do that but you will need all the papers signed from the bike shop.
You could probably take your test in Jinju if you can speak korean - If not, youll have to go into Busan. Im pretty sure Changwon doesnt do riding tests even though its a bit city becasue Busan is so close. There will be plenty of people from Busan who can tell you how though - but for a 50cc I doubt many people will have had that experience.
Id also say (Im guessing here) that to trade your licence in - youd probably have to go to Busan (one hour train ride).

Or you could just buy a scooter, register it and ride it around for a year and then at the end of your contract, sell it to another foreigner.

Its your choice.

[nathanrutledge]

I'm a foreigner who ran over a child. I talked with the police and they said my sub-125 cc bike didn't need to be registered OR that I needed a license. Then, when a jaywalking 7 year old ran in front of me, it cost me 2 million for no registration OR license.

So, OP, you can listen to Mr. Responsible le Paul and when YOU run over a jaywalking kid, maybe he'll pay your bills. And fine, you've a perfect driving record, you'd never hit a kid, whatever. I'd been driving for many years, many different vehicles, many different areas, over 250,000 miles under my belt and one stupid kid who ran into traffic ruined it and cost me 12 million won, because guess what, insurance WON'T cover you if you don't have a license or register the bike, even IF the police say you don't need to.

So, le-Paul, let's hear your experience. Prove me wrong. Otherwise, STFU.

[jonpurdy]

[Underwaterbob]

Exactly, it doesn't matter how good a rider you are, unless you are the only one on the road, which is far, far from the case in Korea. I had a middle schooler run out in front of me, couldn't swerve because of traffic, ended up on my ass from slamming on the brakes. Luckily no one was hurt and only minor damage was done to my bike, but in those brief few seconds of uncertainty I was very, very glad I had insurance.

[le-paul]

well nathan - all I can say is you should learn to ride or get some new glasses - in 10 years ive never had a crash or hit anyone - thats including 3 years in of riding all kinds of bikes/engin sizes in korea. This is becasue because I always pay attention to what Im doing and took the time to learn and not be as arrogant as to think I can ride well. Ive had about 200 close calls but my driving skill has always prevented anything bad from happening.
most waygooks come to this country and get on a bike and think 'oh, this is easy - Ill ride a bike from now on becasue IM an expert rider!'
but the truth is - it takes years and years to learn how ride, counter steer, apply the right amount of front rear braking and in different conditions etc etc.
Do you even know the principles of evassive manouvers with counter steering?
probably not, which is why so many people crash/hit people.
'Brief seconds' are along time if youve gone to a centre and practised and practised until you know how to react in an emergency situation.
Theres no such thing as INSTINCT when youre riding a motorbike over 20 mph.
That is not to say I am condoning not having insurance/licence.

I personally have all that for my bike - but if i was riding a scooter i wouldnt bother doing anything than getting it registered. Its a pain in the ass and the cops dont care - especially in the sticks. My father in law is korean police and he told me he wouldnt bother either.
I know about 25 people who've crashed/hit people etc. most of them got a small fine and/or a slap on the wrist (all the girls just got a telling off).

But - it really is you're choice if you want to get insurance. Im not saying you shouldnt - im just saying most people dont. I dont give a toss really if you want to listen to me or not - I was just trying to tell you how much the bikes cost and not to worry too much about a license if its under a 125cc.

anyway nay-than

I guess in your case (seeing what a mouthy tw@@ you are ) you probably mouthed it off to the police too and made things worse for yourself?
In this country - a smile goes a long way but youre an 'merican - the louder you shout and the more offensive you are - the better you get your point across.

Go and learn to ride you waste of space and if you wernt such a nonse, you wouldnt have had a 2,000,000 fine becasue you would have registered your bike in the first place - so it was pretty much your own fault really wasnt it?

Im bored with you now - so i wont respond no matter how arrogant and offensive you are in your rebuttal.

[snowjd]

Quite a lively discussion.

I'm about to make the move to Korea, and was under the impression that an international driver's permit is all that is needed. From what has been said in this thread, that is incorrect?

Also, to get a Korean driver's license, you have to trade in your license from your home country?

If anyone can provide a more detailed description of the process of driving a bike legally in Korea, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks!

[Underwaterbob]