"I Have a Driver's License" Student's Claim While Riding Kickboard... Police Respond "It's Only a Learner's Permit?"

Only holders of a "Class 2 Motorized Bicycle License" or higher driver's license can ride electric kickboards, and a fine of 20,000 won will be imposed for riding without a helmet. Stock photo unrelated to the article. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

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Student A was caught while operating a shared electric kickboard, at which time he only held a Class 2 Regular Learner’s Permit. The police imposed a fine of 100,000 won on A for driving without a proper license and canceled his learner’s permit, stating that he had violated the conditions of the permit by operating an electric kickboard, which cannot be driven with a Class 2 Regular Learner’s Permit.

In response, A filed an administrative appeal with the Central Administrative Appeals Commission, arguing that he was unaware that a Class 2 Motorized Bicycle License was required and that canceling his learner’s permit would restrict his studies and mobility. He requested that the cancellation of his learner’s permit be revoked. What was the outcome?

According to the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission on August 14, the Central Administrative Appeals Commission, which is under the commission, recently ruled, "It is recognized that A violated the conditions of the learner’s permit by operating an electric kickboard, which cannot be driven with a Class 2 Regular Learner’s Permit. Therefore, the circumstances cited by A alone are not sufficient to deem the cancellation of the learner’s permit unlawful or unjust."

An electric kickboard is a type of Personal Mobility (PM) device, and at least a Class 2 Motorized Bicycle License is required to operate one. This license can only be obtained by individuals aged 16 or older.

A learner’s permit can be obtained by those who have passed both the written test and the on-site skills test, and it is necessary to have a learner’s permit to take the on-road driving test.

With a Class 2 Regular Learner’s Permit, one may only drive passenger cars, vans with a seating capacity of up to 10 people, and trucks with a maximum load of up to 4 tons. Therefore, it is not permitted to operate motorized bicycles, including electric kickboards, with this permit.

If a person is caught operating an electric kickboard under the influence of alcohol, all of their driver’s licenses will be revoked (if the blood alcohol concentration is 0.08% or higher) or suspended (if the blood alcohol concentration is between 0.03% and 0.08%), a fine of 100,000 won will be imposed (130,000 won for refusing a breathalyzer test), a fine of 40,000 won will be imposed for carrying more than one person, and a fine of 20,000 won will be imposed for not wearing protective gear.

Cho Soyoung, Chairperson of the Central Administrative Appeals Commission of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, stated, "As the number of users of personal mobility devices such as electric kickboards continues to increase, this decision reaffirms the principle that users must obtain the appropriate driver’s license and comply with relevant laws and regulations."

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