The safety inspection of motorcycles will be mandatory. Previously, inspections were only conducted for environmental factors such as emissions and noise, but additional inspection items will be included to verify operational safety, such as the engine, driving device, and braking device.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 27th that it will promulgate and implement the ‘Regulation on the Implementation of Motorcycle Inspections’ and the ‘Amendment to the Enforcement Rules of the Automobile Management Act’ on the 28th.
The plan includes the introduction of a safety inspection system to prevent accidents caused by illegal modifications (tuning) of motorcycles and inadequate vehicle management.
Until now, motorcycles did not have a separate mandatory safety inspection unlike automobiles, which are conducted by the Ministry of Environment for emissions and other environmental matters. However, with the expansion of motorcycle delivery services, the need for enhanced safety management has increased.
To this end, the ‘Automobile Management Act’ was amended in September 2023, and this time, the subordinate regulations needed for the implementation of the legislation have been established. The Ministry is operating a grace period until July 27 to prevent confusion among users regarding the enforcement of the system.
Specifically, motorcycles will undergo inspections of a total of 19 items, including the engine, driving device, and braking device. The inspection targets are small and medium-sized motorcycles manufactured after 2018 according to current air quality regulations and large electric motorcycles. Regular inspections can be conducted at 59 locations of the Korea Transportation Safety Authority and 476 private motorcycle inspection centers nationwide.
Owners of motorcycles subject to regular inspections will receive notifications about the inspections via mail and notification messages from the Korea Transportation Safety Authority and must have the inspection done within 31 days before or after the expiration date of the inspection validity period, which is every two years.
If a decommissioned large motorcycle is to be reused, an inspection for operational safety must be conducted at the Korea Transportation Safety Authority. Small and medium-sized motorcycles are not subject to the inspection but must undergo a regular inspection within 62 days after filing a usage report.
The Ministry will also tackle illegal tuning. To eradicate illegal tuning, if tuning approval has been obtained, an inspection must be conducted at the Korea Transportation Safety Authority within 45 days after obtaining the approval.
However, a grace period has been set until April 27, 2028, allowing owners who modified their vehicles without prior approval to take corrective actions, such as restoring them to their original state. If corrective actions are not taken even after that period, a nonconformity determination may be issued.
In cases where a motorcycle receives a maintenance or restoration order, a temporary inspection must be conducted at the Korea Transportation Safety Authority after completing the maintenance. If violated after receiving the order, offenders may face up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won.
Bae So-myeong, head of the Automobile Operation Insurance Department at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, noted, 'It is expected that the operational safety of motorcycles and accident prevention will be possible, and we urge all owners to actively cooperate for motorcycle safety.'