Korean Job Discussion Forums

[slinks]

I'm thinking about buying a motorcycle or scooter when I get to Korea. I've only ever ridden scooters and I've never ridden a proper bike before - I plan to learn in Korea if I do buy a motorbike as opposed to a scooter.

I've been researching on this site and also google and so far I'm still confused as to the licence requirements. Their is so much conflicting information (very frustrating).

Can someone knowledgeable in this area please clear this up for me;

- If a motorcycle/scooter is under 125cc all I would need is my drivers license from back home and an international drivers permit? The catch is I only drive a car back home so my license is only valid for cars. Apparently this is ok in Korea for bikes under 125cc?

- If a scooter is 50cc or less I won't even need a drivers or riders permit from back home?


Thanks in advance!

[tardisrider]

Sure!

You're welcome.

[coralreefer_1]

Basically it is like this.

Anything under 125 CC..you can drive legally with a simply drivers license (Korean license, international permit...etc.

Anything OVER 125 needs a motorcycle permit that requires passage of a motorcycle test i Korea. Note that if you had a motorcycle permit in your home country...it does not trasnfer over to Korea...if over 125cc you will have to take a Korean motorcycle test.

In short...your thinking is correct...you can buy/legally register and drive a 125cc and under motorcycle here with the licenses you already have.

However..the 50cc thing you mentioned is not true. Even 50cc or less now (as of last year) required insurance...and you cannot get insurance without a license (either international permit, or Korean)

[le-paul]

pretty much true except you 'can' get insurance without a licence, you just need your registration docs ( you cant get car ins. without a lic.). wether or not you want to take that risk is up to your discretion.

[nora]

Also, if you are here for anything more than tourism, i.e. you have a visa in your passport, you CANNOT use an IDP for more than the first 90 days. You MUST get a Korean license if you are in the country for more than 90 days.

[slinks]

That definitely cleared things up for me.
Also I'm assuming its 125cc AND under, not necessarily under 125cc

I also had no idea about the 90 day rule for IDP if I have a visa in my passport. I think I should be confident enough on my bike after 90 days to go for my license - so that shouldn't be a problem. I appreciate the advice!

[Shinawi]

Riding a motorcycle or a scooter in Seoul is very risky. The roads are very dangerous.

[slinks]

[Shinawi]

[joesp]

[globusmonkey]

I've ridden my scooter down south (city and country) and am now adjusting to riding in Seoul. The one piece of advice I can give is to be very observant of how people drive here. Traffic is much more fluid (to put it nicely) and you have to anticipate a lot of different possibilities while you are riding. As my dad told me when I was learning, always keep your eyes open for an "out" in case things get crazy quickly. Which they will. But if you are alert, smart, and carefully aggressive, riding in Korea is extremely fun.

I'd recommend buying a cheap (but mechanically sound) scooter to start, then work your way up. The licensing process seems daunting, but it's pretty easy and you can find some detailed step-by-steps using google. Have fun and keep the shiny side up!

[slinks]

I think I know what you mean when you say the traffic is more fluid. I've done some travelling around SE Asia and going by your description it sounds very similar.

Thanks for all the advice/tips/pointers everyone. Since I'm gonna be in a small city, I thought I'll might as well pick up some new skills. I'm really looking forward to learning how to ride! - and exploring the countryside with my bike.