Driving in France vs. South Korea: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of France and South Korea, understanding the nuances of each country's traffic regulations is crucial for ensuring safety. From speed limits and lane usage to signaling practices and penalties, significant distinctions exist. Explore key contrasts that can affect your driving experience abroad, and stay informed for a secure journey.
Lanes
| France | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | Allowed on multi-lane roads |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | Reserved for buses during specified hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; 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
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
south korea:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
france:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
france:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
france:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| France | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
france:
50 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
france:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
france:
80 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
130 km/h
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
france:
100 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
france:
90 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
south korea:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| France | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in France | Not used in South Korea |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; symbols are standard | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
france:
Not used in France
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
south korea:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
south korea:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| France | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
france:
Not allowed
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| France | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
south korea:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| France | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
south korea:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
south korea:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| France | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
france:
0.02%
south korea:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
france:
0.00%
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
france:
Can result in license suspension
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| France | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
south korea:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| France | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| France | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
south korea:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
south korea:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay