Find Scooter & Motorcycle Hire in South Korea
Enter your city, island or destination below to search available scooters and motorcycles.
Enter your city, island or destination below to search available scooters and motorcycles.
Explore South Korea on Two Wheels
From Seoul’s buzzing neighbourhoods and historic streets to the mountains surrounding the city, South Korea offers an exciting setting for exploring on two wheels.
Beyond the capital, roads lead through peaceful countryside, traditional towns and scenic landscapes, revealing a quieter side of the country away from the city.
A scooter or motorcycle gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, discovering hidden neighbourhoods, local communities and memorable places along the way.
City to Scenery
Swap Seoul’s buzzing streets for peaceful countryside and mountain views.
Find Hidden Corners
Discover neighbourhoods, local streets and places beyond the usual sights.
Explore Your Way
Enjoy the freedom to stop, wander and experience more along the journey.
Explore South Korea
Seoul
South Korea’s dynamic capital, where historic neighbourhoods meet buzzing streets and mountain scenery.
More places to ride in South Korea
Considerations Before You Ride in South Korea
To ride a scooter or motorcycle in South Korea, you need a valid driving licence with the appropriate motorcycle entitlement for the vehicle you intend to hire. South Korea has separate licence categories for smaller motorised two-wheelers and larger motorcycles, so you should not assume that a standard car licence covers the scooter you choose.
If you are travelling from the UK, you need to carry your valid UK driving licence together with a 1949 International Driving Permit (IDP). Your IDP must reflect the appropriate entitlement for the scooter or motorcycle you intend to ride and accompanies rather than replaces your UK licence.
Rental companies may impose additional requirements, including minimum age, riding experience or licence conditions. Check the requirements for your chosen vehicle before booking, particularly if you intend to hire a motorcycle rather than a small-capacity scooter.
Useful links
GOV.UK – South Korea travel advice: road travel
GOV.UK – Check which International Driving Permit you need
Yes. One particularly important restriction in South Korea is that ordinary motorcycles and scooters are prohibited from using expressways and motor-vehicle-only roads. These restrictions apply regardless of engine size, so you cannot assume that a larger motorcycle is permitted simply because it can travel at motorway speeds.
This is particularly relevant around Seoul, where expressways and motor-vehicle-only roads form an important part of the road network. When planning a journey, make sure your navigation route is suitable for motorcycles rather than automatically following the fastest car route, which may direct you onto a prohibited road.
Scooters and motorcycles can use ordinary public roads where permitted, but you must follow local traffic signs and any temporary restrictions or police instructions. Allow extra time when travelling beyond central Seoul because avoiding restricted high-speed roads can make motorcycle journeys considerably longer.
In South Korea, both the rider and any passenger on a scooter or motorcycle must wear a protective helmet. The helmet must meet the safety requirements set by South Korean regulations and be properly secured while riding.
Other protective clothing such as gloves, a motorcycle jacket, long trousers and suitable footwear is strongly recommended, particularly when riding outside the city or over longer distances, but these items are not part of the same legal helmet requirement.
Whether safety equipment is supplied with a rental scooter depends on the rental company. A helmet may be included or available to hire, but additional protective clothing should not be assumed to be provided. Check what is included before booking and make sure any supplied helmet fits correctly and is in good condition.
Yes. Under South Korean licensing law, the minimum age for riding a small motorised two-wheeler is 16, while other motorcycle licence categories generally require the rider to be at least 18.
However, the legal minimum age does not necessarily determine whether you can hire a scooter. Rental companies can set their own higher minimum age and may also require you to have held the appropriate motorcycle licence for a certain period.
If you are visiting South Korea, you must also hold the correct motorcycle entitlement for the scooter you intend to hire. Being old enough to hire the vehicle does not allow you to ride a scooter that falls outside the categories covered by your home licence and International Driving Permit.
Yes. If you are visiting South Korea with a UK driving licence, you need a 1949 International Driving Permit (IDP) as well as your valid UK driving licence. You should obtain the IDP before travelling, as it cannot be issued to you once you are in South Korea.
For scooter or motorcycle hire, your licence and IDP must cover the appropriate type of motorcycle you intend to ride. An IDP is a translation of your existing licence entitlement; it does not give you permission to ride a motorcycle if your home licence does not already provide the necessary entitlement.
Carry both documents with you when riding and check that your IDP remains valid for the duration of your trip. Rental companies may also ask to see both documents before releasing the scooter or motorcycle.
Useful links
GOV.UK – South Korea travel advice: road travel
GOV.UK – Check which International Driving Permit you need
Traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road in South Korea. Riders and passengers must wear helmets, and you should pay particular attention to traffic signals, lane markings and local signs when riding through busy urban areas such as Seoul.
Scooters and motorcycles are not permitted on expressways or roads designated exclusively for motor vehicles, so take care when using navigation apps as the quickest route suggested for a car may not be legal for a motorcycle. Plan routes using ordinary roads and always follow signs indicating restricted access.
South Korea has strict drink-driving laws, with a legal blood-alcohol limit of 0.03%. Riders should also take particular care around pedestrians and cyclists; UK government travel advice warns that drivers can face serious consequences following accidents involving them.
Useful link
GOV.UK – South Korea travel advice: road travel
South Korea requires vehicles used on public roads to have compulsory insurance. This provides statutory liability protection, but it should not be assumed to cover damage to the rental scooter, theft or every cost arising from an accident.
The level of insurance included with a hired scooter can vary between rental agreements. Depending on the booking, additional protection may be available for accidental damage, theft or reducing the amount you would have to pay if the scooter is damaged.
Before riding away, check exactly what insurance is included, the excess or deductible you would be responsible for, and whether there are exclusions affecting your cover. Your own travel insurance should also specifically cover riding the type and engine size of scooter or motorcycle you hire.
Additional charges can vary between scooter and motorcycle rental companies in South Korea, so check exactly what is included in the advertised hire price before booking.
You may be asked to leave a refundable security deposit, and additional charges can apply for optional insurance, extra helmets or equipment, an additional rider, extending the rental period or returning the scooter late. Some rentals may also include mileage limits or specific fuel-return conditions.
Check the rental agreement carefully for the deposit amount, insurance excess, mileage allowance, fuel policy and any charges that could apply if the scooter is damaged or returned later than agreed. This will help you understand the full potential cost before accepting the vehicle.
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