Driving Differences: Germany vs. South Korea Explained
When navigating the roads of Germany and South Korea, understanding the unique traffic regulations and practices is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and rules for overtaking. This guide highlights the vital contrasts that every traveler should know to ensure a secure and smooth driving experience in both countries.
Lanes
| Germany | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. | Allowed on multi-lane roads |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed. | Reserved for buses during specified hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs. | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored lane. | 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
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
south korea:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
germany:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
germany:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
germany:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Germany | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-110 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
germany:
50 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
100 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
germany:
100 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
germany:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits
south korea:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
germany:
Common
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| Germany | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to change to green | Not used in South Korea |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Traffic Signs: Language
germany:
German; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
germany:
Triangle-shaped with red border
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Germany | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Germany | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory, every 2 years | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on rear license plate | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
germany:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Germany | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
germany:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
south korea:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Germany | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
germany:
0.00%
south korea:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
germany:
0.00%
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
germany:
Common
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
germany:
Can result in license suspension
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Germany | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
germany:
110
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Germany | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €30 to €60 | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €90 to €200, points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Seat Belts
germany:
€30 to €60
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
germany:
€100, points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
germany:
Common
south korea:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay