Driving in Colombia vs. South Korea: Key Differences
The driving experiences in Colombia and South Korea present intriguing contrasts that every traveler should know. From lane usage regulations and speed limits to traffic signal interpretations, these nations differ significantly. Understanding these variations can enhance your road safety and ensure a smoother journey abroad. Equip yourself with the knowledge to drive confidently in Colombia and South Korea!
Lanes
| Colombia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed 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. | 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 | Not applicable | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
colombia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
colombia:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 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: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
south korea:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| Colombia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used in South Korea |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Colombia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Colombia | 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 | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | 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
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
south korea:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Colombia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
south korea:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
south korea:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Emergency Services
| Colombia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
south korea:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Yes |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
south korea:
Yes