Driving in Chile vs. South Korea: Key Differences Explained
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and driving protocols between Chile and South Korea. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol limits, which can significantly impact your driving experience. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring your safety while navigating the roads of these diverse nations.
Lanes
| Chile | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. | Reserved for buses during specified hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs. | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
south korea:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
chile:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
chile:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Speeds Limits
| Chile | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
chile:
50 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
south korea:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| Chile | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not used in South Korea |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
south korea:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Chile | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Chile | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Alcohol
| Chile | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
south korea:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
chile:
0.00%
south korea:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
chile:
Can result in license suspension
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Chile | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
south korea:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Chile | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
chile:
133
south korea:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
south korea:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
south korea:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay