"Pledge Letter" regarding motorcycle license and insurance

[jonpurdy]

Ugh. This is my third posting in like two weeks in the contracts forum. I'm getting more than a little bit tired of having to deal with this stuff but it's important to me.

Just received a document in regards to motorcycles. Basically it was a pledge form that said I'd have to get a license, registration, and obey all traffic laws of Korea and if not I'd be held responsible. Now, I ride legally but I didn't see any good reason to sign this form, other than making my co-teacher's life easier. Riding a motorcycle has nothing to do with the school or MOE. The document also doesn't bind me to anything since it specifically said I'd be held responsible for any problems.

I signed it because my school helped me out quite a bit and the document didn't bind me to anything.

Ulsanites, did you receive something similar? What did you do? Should I have stood my ground and not signed it?

[klorptar]

Yeah. I live in Ulsan. They made me sign the same thing even though I don't own a motorcycle. It seems silly. I mean, wouldn't you already be held responsible if you broke the law? It seems like the equivalent of a pinky-promise.

[jryanaustin]

Ah! The same thing happened to me today and I was going to post on here! I live in Ulsan and got the same form. I feel exactly like you do! I don't have a license or tag, so I'm not sure what I should do! I feel like this is the MOE overstepping bounds, but then again, it's Korea.
People please respond! I need to hear more!

[Janitor]

I was asked about it and I had to show them my Korean driver's license. I wondered what this was all about. I think either the city is planning to "crack down" on unlicensed foreigners on motorcycles or they are just being lame.

If you guys want, I will be more than happy to set up a group and get all tested and legal all at once. PM me if you are interested.

[klorptar]

I have no intent to buy a motorcycle, and I already have an international license, so if I want to rent a car I can do that legally. I've long since stopped trying to rationalize everything that Koreans do. This is one of those situations. I just nodded and said yes. I say just sign it. Like I said, you're already held accountable if you break the law. There was nothing legalistic in it. It just said, "I will not ride without a license, insurance," etc. 

[Koradian]

After spending time in a hospital here in Korea from a motorcycle mishap, I'm glad to say my bike is being sold tomorrow!
You can be the best driver in the world, but doesn't make any difference driving in this country.
If you were smart, you'd stay off bikes in Korea.... sadly, I've learned though experience.

[klorptar]

I think either the city is planning to "crack down" on unlicensed foreigners on motorcycles or they are just being lame.

I thought the same thing (about the crackdown). If you're riding illegally, then I'd quit or get your license and insurance.

[jonpurdy]

Well the document itself doesn't make you do anything. Now that I think of it the MOE does have good intentions with it. However, our anger is a result of a cultural difference where we believe that stuff outside of school shouldn't be handled at all by our employer.

If the document bound you to any obligations I wouldn't have signed it. However, it basically is a pinky promise.

jryanaustin, what sort of bike do you have? It's best to get legal (regardless of warnings from the MOE). If you have a 50cc, you just need a Korean drivers license. If you have a 125cc, Korean drivers license plus registration (cheap) and insurance (not cheap, not expensive). If you have 250cc or above, you need the reg, insurance, and a proper motorcycle license (which requires a test).

At the very least, get your bike registered (if it's 125cc or above). If you bought it without papers then you CAN'T register it or get insurance and you'll be forced to ride illegally. If you get stopped by the police you'll likely be okay (street cops are great here) BUT if you cause an accident (or get blamed for one by a car driver) you'll be in pretty big trouble.

Janitor, perhaps you could set up a Facebook group with info about license acquisition, insurance, registration, etc. A lot of the info out there is outdated.

Koradian, defensive riding has prevented a ton of close calls in this country. Though all of them were in heavy traffic going slowly city where the chance of serious injury is pretty low. Also, riding a loud motorcycle helps.

[Janitor]

I think that I will. I might also resurrect the Hells Ajummas bike group that we started many years ago and do it up in a weekend. Gets some practice runs in and then do a ride out the Eonyang to get the licenses and testing. Would be a fun day.

[jryanaustin]

First off, Bruce Campbell, that group sounds great and I'd defintely be interested.

When I bought the scooter (125cc), I researched all I could find about licenses, registration, etc. and decided not to get it at the time. Because
   1) Didn't want to spend money, and
   2) Didn't seem like it really mattered
   3) Everyone knows it's fun driving without a license, hair blowin' in the wind (under the helmet), Easy Rider style.

I really just want to ride my scooter in peace. I haven't signed anything yet, and if I have to show them a license, it looks like I'll have to actually get one first. I only have one problem though.... I don't have a license back home. It expired in September... that might be a problem.

[jonpurdy]

Not a bad idea at all.

Another consideration is that a lot of people here ride small bike and scooters that don't require testing, just a license. Perhaps a safety course (the basics, plus dealing specifically with Korean traffic) for first-time riders might be a good Saturday or Sunday afternoon activity. I've known a lot of people to get scratched up and a few who have been seriously injured.

jryanaustin, if you are still in contact with the previous owner you can go together to your -gu office and register. Very easy and very cheap (like 60,000 won or something). Once that's done you can get insurance easily. Getting the license requires a written test if you have an American license or just exchanging your license (plus paperwork) if you're Canadian. If you have no license I think you might have to start from scratch though I'm not sure about that. At least register the bike; that way if it's stolen you can reclaim it from the police with little trouble.

[Janitor]

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2933457
This is interesting I guess they are hitting up the pok-ju-joe too and getting to be safe--er

That sounds like a plan. The motorcycle course run by the Driver's license Office does have some practice spots marked out around the city and they are also good for practicing when you are new to riding. I can also gets the boys from Ulsan Autobike or Mr. Goh to bring out some scooters and stuff for people to test (it would have to be a sunday then).

The ride out to Eonyang would also be good to teach people the ins-and-outs of riding in Korea. I have often thought about putting on these courses but never really got any help from other Hells Ajummas members... Might have to recruit new members.

[kerrym]

I'm in Ulsan and I got the same letter. Like others have said, what we are asked to sign just basically says we will be responsible for what laws we break (no license, registration, etc.,), but my co-teacher (and I) are anxious to get everything squared away.

I'm waiting on my international license and was wondering if it is possible to register my 125cc scooter and to get insurance prior to the arrival of my license?

Also, can you buy insurance at a bike shop? If not, any suggestions about the best place to purchase insurance.

Thanks for any insight. I want to get "legal" as quickly as possible.

[Janitor]

I always go through the bike shop Ulsan Autobike and Mr. Goh's in Bangeojin will tke care of you. You can register and get insurance and plates without a license but you will need the original owners papers.

[kerrym]

Thanks, Janitor!

[jonpurdy]

kerrym, did you receive all the papers (I think it was one or two documents) from the (unnamed) seller? It's a bit more of a hassle if the seller is not there with you (especially a foreigner because of no name stamp). But definitely still possible. I'd get your co- to call in advance (your -gu office) to find out exactly what you need before going there to avoid making unnecessary trips. You can also buy insurance right on the spot at the office once you've registered the vehicle.

Janitor, the shop can register the bike for you? I thought it was only if you bought it directly from them?

[kerrym]

Jon,
Just got back from the gu office. They said I had to have insurance before they could register the bike in my name, but the called an insurance company and the lady was there in 10 minutes and I had my registration and insurance in about 20 minutes. No problem with the paperwork, but thanks for the heads up. I feel better being "almost" entirely legal. US citizens have to get an affadavit from the embassy in Seoul before we can just exchange our driver's license, so I'm getting an international license.

Thanks, for all the advice!

[jryanaustin]

Jon,
Just got back from the gu office. They said I had to have insurance before they could register the bike in my name, but the called an insurance company and the lady was there in 10 minutes and I had my registration and insurance in about 20 minutes. No problem with the paperwork, but thanks for the heads up. I feel better being "almost" entirely legal. US citizens have to get an affadavit from the embassy in Seoul before we can just exchange our driver's license, so I'm getting an international license.

Thanks, for all the advice!

So, just to fully understand you, you got your insurance and your tags without  a drivers' license? It's going to take a while for me to get a license, so if I can get resigistered and insured right now that would be great!
Thanks

[Janitor]

kerrym, did you receive all the papers (I think it was one or two documents) from the (unnamed) seller? It's a bit more of a hassle if the seller is not there with you (especially a foreigner because of no name stamp). But definitely still possible. I'd get your co- to call in advance (your -gu office) to find out exactly what you need before going there to avoid making unnecessary trips. You can also buy insurance right on the spot at the office once you've registered the vehicle.

Janitor, the shop can register the bike for you? I thought it was only if you bought it directly from them?

They will totally help! I have been sending people there for years. The district office is just up the street near home plus. They do the same thing as your co-teacher would do and they have far more connections in that sort of thing. Of course using my name probably would help but they are always willing to help, especially if you are a regular customer.

The better relationship that you have with THE bike shop the better. They will always help you. I mean really just go there for an oil change and then ask "hey, can you help me get my scooter registered?" and it is a done deal. I would never count on my co-teacher to help me in that kind of situation because they simply don't know anything about motorcycles and/or registering them.

Ulsan Autobike, Mr. GOh's in Bangeojin, and Jay from Bangeojin Autobike have all been helping foreigners since at least 2003 when I first came. They are the ones that I trust. Getting your school complicates things a lot and I can tell from the "pledge letter" that it was probably a result of people getting too many school people involved. It is simply not the way things are done here.

[jryanaustin]

Where can I find one these shops? I live in Guyeong-li (which is on the way to Eonyang). I need an oil change, so that seems like a good excuse to get insured and registered. Thanks for all your help man! I probabaly wouldn't have been able to figure this stuff out otherwise