Driving in Belgium vs. South Korea: Key Differences
When it comes to navigating the roads of Belgium and South Korea, distinct regulations and practices emerge that can impact your journey. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol consumption rules, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable driving experience abroad. Explore how these two nations differ in their road etiquette and safety measures.
Lanes
| Belgium | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads. | Allowed on multi-lane roads |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply. | Reserved for buses during specified hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
south korea:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
belgium:
Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
belgium:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belgium:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Belgium | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 100-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are mailed to the driver | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
belgium:
30-50 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
120 km/h
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
90 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits
south korea:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| Belgium | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | Not used in South Korea |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Belgium | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific signage permits | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Belgium | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; national driving license sufficient | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Alcohol
| Belgium | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
belgium:
0.02%
south korea:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
belgium:
Can result in license suspension
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Belgium | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Belgium | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine of around 50 EUR | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
south korea:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay