Driving Differences: Ecuador vs. South Korea Explained
When navigating the roads of Ecuador and South Korea, understanding the distinct regulations and practices is crucial for a safe journey. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane usage, and traffic signals. While Ecuador emphasizes caution and local customs, South Korea boasts advanced systems for public transport and stricter alcohol limits, making it essential for travelers to familiarize themselves with these driving customs.
Lanes
| Ecuador | 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 with 'BUS' in some areas. | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motor vehicles in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ecuador:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Overtaking: On Right
ecuador:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
ecuador:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ecuador:
Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ecuador:
Limited
south korea:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ecuador:
Shared with motor vehicles in some areas.
south korea:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ecuador:
N/A
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
ecuador:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ecuador:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Speeds Limits
| Ecuador | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 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 | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; often applied for traffic violations. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
ecuador:
50 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ecuador:
90 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ecuador:
90 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ecuador:
70 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ecuador:
100 km/h
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ecuador:
90 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ecuador:
90 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ecuador:
Yes; often applied for traffic violations.
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| Ecuador | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ecuador | Not used in South Korea |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard. | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with white background | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ecuador:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
south korea:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ecuador:
Not used in Ecuador
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ecuador:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
south korea:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
ecuador:
N/A
south korea:
Fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
ecuador:
Spanish; symbols are standard.
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ecuador:
Triangle-shaped with white background
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Ecuador | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal. | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
ecuador:
Prohibited unless a sign permits.
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
ecuador:
Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal.
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Ecuador | 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 is mandatory | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield. | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ecuador:
Annual inspection is mandatory
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ecuador:
Displayed on the windshield.
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ecuador:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ecuador | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply. | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized. | Discouraged and may be penalized |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations. | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in urban areas. | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
ecuador:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
south korea:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
ecuador:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
south korea:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
ecuador:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
south korea:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
ecuador:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
south korea:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
ecuador:
Only in emergency situations.
south korea:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ecuador:
Frequent use in urban areas.
south korea:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
ecuador:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
south korea:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ecuador:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
south korea:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
ecuador:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
south korea:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Ecuador | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability. | Check if medication affects driving ability |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police frequently set up checkpoints. | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; significant fines imposed. | Varies; can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses. | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension. | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
ecuador:
0.03%
south korea:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ecuador:
0.00%
south korea:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ecuador:
0.00%
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
ecuador:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
south korea:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
ecuador:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
south korea:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
ecuador:
Common; police frequently set up checkpoints.
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
ecuador:
Varies; significant fines imposed.
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
ecuador:
Possible for severe offenses.
south korea:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
ecuador:
Can result in license suspension.
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Ecuador | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit. | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight. | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Priority: Entering
ecuador:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
south korea:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
ecuador:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
south korea:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
ecuador:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
south korea:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
ecuador:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
south korea:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
ecuador:
Use for first exit or straight.
south korea:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
ecuador:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
south korea:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Ecuador | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 or 112 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Use general emergency numbers. | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available through insurance companies or auto clubs. | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
ecuador:
911 or 112
south korea:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ecuador:
Use general emergency numbers.
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ecuador:
Available through insurance companies or auto clubs.
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ecuador:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Ecuador | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial based on speed. | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines and possible imprisonment. | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts. | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; varies by infraction. | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Hefty fines for violations. | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; often required. | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties. | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid. | Same as residents; must be paid |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid. | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
ecuador:
Varies; can be substantial based on speed.
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Alcohol
ecuador:
Severe fines and possible imprisonment.
south korea:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ecuador:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts.
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
ecuador:
Fines apply; varies by infraction.
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ecuador:
Hefty fines for violations.
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
ecuador:
Yes; often required.
south korea:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
ecuador:
Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties.
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
ecuador:
Same as residents; must be paid.
south korea:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
ecuador:
Possible if fines are not paid.
south korea:
Possible if fines are not paid