Traffic is a real problem here in Korea. Koreans love their cars and the roads are often clogged all day with people coming and going. So, many people solve this problem by using motorcycles and scooters. There are millions of them here, all shapes and sizes. Though, you have to be careful, Koreans aren't very strict regarding licensing and it shows, owning a vehicle here gives you alot of freedom and the chance to explore this beautiful country on a whole new level. This page may come as too negative for some, but I really feel that Korea has a major problem on its roadways and there has to be stricter management of licensing and vehicle ownership. Korea has more accidents and deaths from vehicles than any other country in the world. Korea has such potential to become a leader in the 21st century, but problems like this hold it back.

Buying a Vehicle in Korea                                Alot of foreigners who come to Korea are only here for the short term(1 or 2 Years) and aren't really interested in making the investment or going through the hassle of getting a car. If they're living in a big city, like Seoul, then a car isn't that useful since most of the big cities have excellent public transportation. If you live in a smaller city or town or if you want to bum around different places on the weekend, you can find used cars available her for under two thousand dollars. Korean cars are remarkable reliable, in my experience, even when they hit the usual retirement age of ten years. Compared to what you're earning buying a car in Korea can be an affordable enhancement to your experience here. Short timers will find used motorcycle or scooter shops everywhere and if you like to haggle can get a reliable bike easily for under $500. Again, you'll be amazed at the quality you get for that price. If you're thinking about a bike, and you like alittle power, go Japanese. Daewoo makes great bikes and are really peppy even when a big oaf like me is touring around on one. You have to register cars, just like in Canada, and any bike 100cc and over. If a bike is under 100cc, the owner of the shop will do it for you. You'll also need insurance for cars and big bikes, but it's pretty for the amount of accidents in Korea every year.

In about a minute, 50 screaming Kindergarten kids will come running out of this school bus. Where did I put that valum.

Getting a Korean Drivers License       If you're a Canadian, getting a Korean license is easy. As long as you have a valid Canadian license, you just have to go to the Korean Driving Department and show them the ID, fill out the form and get a medical exam on site. The medical is easy and takes about 5 minutes. They might want to comfiscate your canadian license, but you can usually convince them otherwise. By the way, you don't need a license for any bike under 100cc. Scary, when you see how fast small bikes here can zoom down the road, but true.

Small Korean cars equal small Korean tow trucks.

Driving in Korea       I love to drive and one of my favorite things is to go for long drives on the weekend in the country. Driving in Korea can be nerve wracking at first, and then only scary once you get to it. It's almost like Koreans have Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde complexes when they step behind of the wheel. Their doesn't seem to be any driver's ettiquette over here and traffic laws are more like suggestions or dares to break.                   Always Drive Defensively in Korea.       Don't assume that any of the rules apply over here, they do, but alot of Koreans drive as though they own the road. Do to their work lifestyle, they seem to always be in a hurry, especially taxis, and will do anything in their power to get anywhere ASAP. This is especially true when you're riding a scooter and driver's aren't going to be looking out for your safety while you are putting or zooming around. You really do need eyes in the back of you head and on both sides when you drive here. I think Koreans view insurance as the lottery and any accident is the big win, unless they are to blame and then you'll have to deal with Korean insurance companies, which I can tell you from personal experince is like going to the dentist for a root canal and he's out of nitrisoxide.       Pedestrians beware as well, just cause the little man is green, do like our mamas taught us and look both ways. Chances are that someone is running the red, cause they gotta pick junior up from Tae Kwon Do practice.      Traffic can also be a problem, so give yourself lots of time to get places especially if you are travelling to another city during a Korean holiday. Traffic jams are frequent then and it only takes one accident to slow or stall traffic for long periods and kilometers and kilometers and kilometers and...

Slick looking...but it's still a scooter.

Parking       Parking can also be a nightmare here. There are way too many cars compared to legal parking places and parking lots here. Businesses don't have to have any parking spaces for cutomers, especially the small ones. If you are going to a large department store they usually have a parking garage(some are free, some are not), but some are huge so, remember where you parked or you may never find your car again. I didn't at Incheon Airport and spent almost two hours looking for my car.       Be wary of parking on the street, unless you can afford the $50 illegal parking fine. Sometimes you can get away it, especially on side roads. This can make it a problem since with cars parking(illegally) on both sides of the street you it usually turns into a one way and Murphy's Law means there will be someone coming the other way.       Parking here makes me really miss my scooter, but my fiance won't let me buy a new one. Women!

I think I'll stick with scooters. That way I'll only break small bones and only have minor road rash.

Scooters and Motorcycles       A couple of breif notes on bikes. First, scooters tend to get stolen if you don't properly secure them when you leave them, even at your apartment. Sometimes, they disappear even if you do lock them up. So, be warned. Double, triple lock it, buy a big dog and leash it to the thing. I never had this problem but I know of one froeigners who had three go missing in a year.       The second thing  that although helmets may seem optional from watching Koreans drive their bikes, they are mandatory and trust me after 3 accidents in 6 months, I worship my helmet. My head may sweat like blazes in the summer, but I'd never ride without one.

The call it the Romance, but would you really want to try to squeeze two on this. And then there's the drive in movie issue...

I'm pretty sure the sign says no parking, but maybe like me, the guy can't read Korean.