Driving Differences: Greece vs South Korea
Exploring the nuances of road regulations in Greece and South Korea reveals intriguing contrasts that impact traveler safety. From varying speed limits to distinct lane markings, understanding these disparities is crucial for a secure driving experience abroad. Discover how these two countries differ in traffic rules and enhance your awareness on the road.
Lanes
| Greece | 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 | Not applicable | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Overtaking: On Right
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
greece:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Greece | 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 | 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 | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
greece:
50 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
greece:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
south korea:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| Greece | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not used in South Korea |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
south korea:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Greece | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Greece | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Alcohol
| Greece | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police may set up roadblocks | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
south korea:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Greece | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
south korea:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay