Pilot Project for Front License Plates for Delivery Motorcycles to Start at the End of June

Now, delivery motorcycles will be allowed to attach license plates to the front.

According to a report by the Joongang Ilbo on the 14th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to initiate a pilot project by allowing delivery motorcycle drivers to apply for participation and affixing various types of front license plates, including sticker versions, by the end of June. The impact on reducing traffic accidents and regulatory violations will be monitored for approximately three years.

Currently, motorcycles in the Republic of Korea only have license plates at the rear, regardless of their usage purpose, but this pilot project aims to verify the compliance effects of traffic regulations for delivery motorcycles.

This pilot project was also a campaign promise by President Yoon Suk-yeol.

During the last presidential election, President Yoon promised a phased introduction of front license plates for commercial motorcycles to reduce illegal driving such as speeding and running red lights.

At that time, Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung went a step further by pledging the full introduction of front license plates for motorcycles.

Incentives to Encourage Voluntary Participation

The Ministry plans to encourage voluntary participation in the pilot project by offering separate benefits, such as discounts on motorcycle insurance and free oil checks, for delivery motorcycle drivers who affix front license plates.

To achieve this, the ministry is collaborating with a delivery service mutual aid association that provides affordable insurance services exclusively for delivery motorcycle drivers, similar to taxi and bus mutual aid associations.

This mutual aid association includes major delivery platforms such as Woowa Brothers, Coupang Eats, Baedal Minjok, Vroong, and Relativ.

The design of the front license plate will differ from existing rear license plates.

Unlike the rear license plate made of a rectangular metal plate, the front license plate will be considered in formats like stickers that are easy to affix and pose less injury risk during collisions.

In fact, countries like Singapore and Indonesia are currently implementing front license plates made of stickers or acrylic plates.

As demand for delivery services has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, so have the regulatory violations by delivery motorcycles, leading to a growing call for the introduction of front license plates.

Additionally, some recently introduced advanced unmanned traffic cameras can only recognize front license plates, and motorcycles with only rear license plates have been criticized as being in a blind spot for enforcement.

The biggest challenge for the pilot project is securing a sufficient number of delivery motorcycles that voluntarily participate.

Initially, the Ministry intended to have a minimum of 1,000 and up to 5,000 motorcycles for the project, but there are expectations that this may not be easy in reality.

A ministry official told the Joongang Ilbo, “I understand that there are concerns among delivery motorcycle drivers and leasing companies that having front license plates may increase the likelihood of being fined.”

Experts believe that if this pilot project is successfully conducted, there is a possibility that all motorcycles may eventually be required to attach front license plates.

In particular, if accidents caused by traffic violations by delivery motorcycles decrease, it is expected to greatly help ensure citizen safety and establish traffic order.

Image sources: Material photos for understanding the article / Photo = Insight, Front license plate of motorcycles in Singapore / carousell singapore, Material photos for understanding the article / motopinas