Korean Job Discussion Forums

[everydavid]

Any one out there know how to get a motorcycle license from scratch in Korea?
I have heard that all there is is a test to pass then you're homefree, but it it really that simple?
Where does a foreigner go to get a license and is it transferable upon return to your home country? i.e. Canada/Quebec?

thx,
David

[wspark]

As far as where to go, Check the website for Korean DLA's (Driver License Agency) website.

http://www.dla.go.kr/eng/main.jsp

Now, there are two classes of motorcycle licenses in Korea. First, there's the smaller class, for 125cc (actually 124.9cc) & under, and Second, for anything above that.

If you're looking to just scoot around on something small (125cc class or less), a regular car driving license, if you have one, will allow you to ride around on them, and you can transfer your home license over to a Korean one. If you don't, then the process is the same is getting a "big bike" license [see below] except that you take the course test on something like a 50cc bike.

However, if you're looking to ride around on something bigger & you don't have a bike license from home, then you have to take a written & a course test. Check out the graph by Korean DLA.

http://www.dla.go.kr/eng/Html_index.jsp?content=/eng/test/process1.jsp&left=/eng/menu/left_test.jsp&topFlag=3

Basically, from what I gather, the motorcycle class is part of the [passed: etc] route on the diagram, so once you pass the course driving test, that's it. You're fully licensed (The permit for class 1 & 2 is for cars). I didn't get one from scratch here, so if someone could verify that - that'd be cool.

I had my California M1 motorcycle license (unlimited cc) converted to the Korean equivalent when I came to Korea, but that was a hassle too, as the lady at the Agency wanted to initially convert ONLY the driving license, and not the motorcycle license. I had to print out a statement from the Korean DLA web site that they convert all equivalent licenses, and then also bring in the motorcycle licensing procedures in California, then she finally converted both my car and motorcycle license.

As the Korean motorcycle license being transferable to your home country, maybe, but I'd double check with the agency you're interested in.

[JacktheCat]

Sounds like the OP is Canadian.

If that's the case, he can just switch his Canadian license over to a Korean one; doesn't have to take any tests. Just got to jump through some bureaucratic paperwork hoops.

It's us Americans who have to go through the hassle of retaking the driving test to get a Korean license.

(we screw the Koreans when they come to America, so the Koreans screw us when we come to Korea)

[wspark]

Nah, I got my US one transfered over, albeit with a bit of a hassle - because of wanting to get my motorcycle one transfered over, like I mentioned above. It would've been pretty simple for US folks who just wants to get their cage license transferred.

According to the Korean DLA website, folks from US, UK, France, Canada, Germany, Japan and Spain have it pretty easy and can transfer it right over. For folks of other nations, they have to go through that pain-in-the-ass process of getting their license translated and/or notarized from their embassy.

http://www.dla.go.kr/eng/Html_index.jsp?content=/eng/foreign/foreign.jsp&left=/eng/menu/left_foreign.jsp

[JacktheCat]

[wspark]

[Ryst Helmut]

[wspark]