Driving Differences: Dominican Republic vs South Korea
When navigating the roads of the Dominican Republic and South Korea, you'll encounter notable variations in traffic regulations and practices. From speed limits to lane usage, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience. Discover how these two countries differ in their approach to road etiquette and safety measures.
Lanes
| Dominican republic | 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: Presence | Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them. | Reserved for buses during specified hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often not marked. | 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
dominican republic:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Overtaking: On Right
dominican republic:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
south korea:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Limited
south korea:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
south korea:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
dominican republic:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Dominican republic | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No; speed checks are done by police radar | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible for traffic infractions | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
dominican republic:
40 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
dominican republic:
25 km/h
south korea:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
70 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
70 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
100 km/h
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
90 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
south korea:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
south korea:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| Dominican republic | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Dominican Republic | Not used in South Korea |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used in many situations | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| 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
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Horn Usage: Allowed
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
south korea:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
dominican republic:
Spanish; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
dominican republic:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Dominican republic | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Dominican republic | 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 | Yes, annual inspection required | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required
south korea:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Dominican republic | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used more frequently than in some countries | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Limited
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
south korea:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
south korea:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Dominican republic | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in arrest and license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%
south korea:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Dominican republic | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or designated local numbers | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required and recommended as a safety measure | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
dominican republic:
911
south korea:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
south korea:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Dominican republic | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines for non-compliance with signals | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for common violations | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Seat Belts
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
south korea:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay