Driving in Guatemala vs. South Korea: Key Differences
When considering road safety abroad, understanding the driving regulations in Guatemala and South Korea is essential. Key distinctions emerge, such as the presence of bus lanes in South Korea versus their absence in Guatemala, and different speed limits across urban areas. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can greatly enhance your travel experience and ensure safer journeys.
Lanes
| Guatemala | 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses during specified hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
guatemala:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Overtaking: On Right
guatemala:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
south korea:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
south korea:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
south korea:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
guatemala:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 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 | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
south korea:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
south korea:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| Guatemala | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Not used in South Korea |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; 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
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Guatemala | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Guatemala | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof may be required | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
south korea:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Guatemala | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
south korea:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
guatemala:
Can result in license suspension
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
south korea:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
south korea:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay