Driving Differences: Afghanistan vs. South Korea
Discover the unique aspects of road regulations in Afghanistan and South Korea, where driving norms vastly differ. From lane markings to speed limits, understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring a secure travel experience. This comparison reveals critical contrasts, such as strict bus lanes in South Korea and the relaxed use of overtaking in Afghanistan, essential for any traveler.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses during specified hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
south korea:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
afghanistan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
south korea:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
south korea:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
south korea:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 100-110 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
south korea:
30 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
south korea:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| Afghanistan | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in South Korea |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Afghanistan | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Afghanistan | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
south korea:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
south korea:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
south korea:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
south korea:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
afghanistan:
Can result in license suspension
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south korea:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
south korea:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
south korea:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay