Driving in China vs. South Korea: Key Differences Explained
Exploring the nuances of road regulations in China and South Korea reveals distinct variations in traffic rules and vehicle operation. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol tolerance and emergency protocols, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad. Prepare to navigate the roads confidently with our comprehensive comparison!
Lanes
| China | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Allowed on multi-lane roads |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Railroad crossings | Pedestrian crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane if possible. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Reserved for buses during specified hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | 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
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south korea:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
south korea:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
south korea:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
south korea:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
south korea:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100-110 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
south korea:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| China | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in South Korea |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
south korea:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| China | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| China | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Chinese driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required for short visits | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
south korea:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
south korea:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
south korea:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
south korea:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
south korea:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| China | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight |
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
south korea:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
south korea:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| China | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
south korea:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay