Rules and How to Use e-Scooters in Seoul


You’ve probably seen the electric scooters all over the streets of Seoul: some parked nicely along the side, and some just sprawled in the middle of the road. I’ve seen some thrown into the bushes before, and many news stories of “e-scooter accidents.” Although made for the convenience of Seoulites and to help reduce crowds and cars, these e-scooters have recently made headlines for being more of a societal nuisance. To help you understand the rules and regulations related to e-scooters in Korea, and also to help you actually learn how to rent one, read on for more information! 

 

New e-scooter regulations in Seoul

Since May 13, 2021, an amendment to the Road Traffic Act has taken effect regarding the use of electric scooters in Seoul. Please follow these regulations, and ride safely! Failure to follow these new regulations can result in fines between 20,000 won and 100,000 won. 

  • You must have a valid driver’s license

  • The minimum age of use is 16 years (which is odd because one has to be 18 in Korea to apply for a driver’s license)

  • You must use bike paths

  • You must use the road when no bike path is available

  • You must park the scooters properly 

  • You must wear a helmet

  • You must ride alone (two people riding is prohibited) 

  • You must properly park the scooters away from people and cars

  • Absolutely never drink and ride

How to rent an e-scooter

There are several companies that offer e-scooter rentals in Korea. Simply search for the name in your App Store or Play Store and download the appropriate apps. Some of the more popular ones are Kickgoing, Beam, Gcooter, Ssing Ssing, and Lime. Many of these apps do not have an English or other language option, so if your Korean level is 0, signing up may be a bit difficult. 

Once the app has been downloaded, create an account 회원가입. You must have an ARC card and your phone must be under your name. You need to go through the verification process by inputting your name, ARC number, and phone number. Once you receive a text message with a 5 digit code, verify your identification and phone.

Your screen will show you a map of your current location and simply click on one of the nearest scooters to check for the pricing and how much battery life is left. E-scooter rental prices in Korea are more or less the same, with a basic usage fee of about 1,000 KRW and an additional 100 won per minute. This can be quite expensive if you need to ride these scooters several times a day, for long distances. If you need to ride the scooters for more than 30 minutes, you can hop off and hop on another one to avoid an additional basic usage fee. I personally prefer, the Ttareungi Seoul Public Bicycle rentals as they offer you unlimited usage for a flat, cheap rate. 

You must register a credit or debit card on the application. And once that is done, simply press the 이용하기 or 대여하기 button on the bottom and scan the QR code that is located on the handlebars of the e-scooter. 

 

How to register your driver’s license in the e-scooter app

As of now, some e-scooter apps do not force you to register your driver’s license in order to rent a scooter. But because it is now law, you may want to just go ahead and register your license. On the Ssing Ssing app, press the three horizontal lines located at the top-right of your screen. Click on your name or the gear icon. Then you’ll have options to input several different pieces of personal information like name, email, gender, birthday, etc. Click on 운전면허, and input your driver’s license information. Note: International driver’s license will not be accepted. 

 

How to Return the E-Scooters

Scooters can be parked anywhere away from people and car traffic. For instance, do not park the scooter in front of a door, in front of a subway entrance, in the middle of the sidewalk, on the streets, etc. Some residents have also been heavily complaining of e-scooters cluttering their complex so those areas are also banned from parking. Look at your e-scooter app and avoid any red zones. If you happen to park your scooter in a red zone, the app will charge you a fine.

There have also been talks in the media about making “authentication photos” 인증샷 compulsory upon return. Some e-scooter apps may be practicing this now as the Seoul City government has been towing and fining the scooter companies.  

 

Buy your own e-scooter

Wearing helmets, riding on the correct paths, properly parking, having a driver’s license, all these rules still apply to a personal e-scooter. But the benefit of buying your own e-scooter is the convenience of always having one available, fully charged, not having to go through the complicated, in-Korean-only apps, connection problems, and not to mention the huge savings in costs. You can find 전동킥보드s for as cheap as 100,000 won online. Just always remember to ride responsibly and safely.  

 

Public Transportation and Driving