Driving Differences: Estonia vs. South Korea Explained
Discover the unique roadway regulations and practices between Estonia and South Korea. This comparison highlights crucial distinctions, such as speed limits, lane usage, and traffic enforcement. Understanding these variations ensures a safer experience while navigating the streets of either country. Stay informed and drive confidently abroad!
Lanes
| Estonia | 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 | N/A | 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
estonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Overtaking: On Right
estonia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
estonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
estonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
estonia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
estonia:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
estonia:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
estonia:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Estonia | 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 | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 100-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
estonia:
50 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
90 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
estonia:
90 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80-90 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
estonia:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits
south korea:
N/A
Signals
| Estonia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Estonia | Not used in South Korea |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Estonian; symbols are standard | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
estonia:
Yellow
south korea:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Traffic Signs: Language
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
estonia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Estonia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Estonia | 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 every year; proof must be carried | 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
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Alcohol
| Estonia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
estonia:
0.02%
south korea:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
estonia:
0.00%
south korea:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Test Refusal
estonia:
Can result in license suspension
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Estonia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
estonia:
112
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Estonia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines apply | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Seat Belts
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: Deadline
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay