Driving in Iceland vs. South Korea: Key Safety Differences
Explore the fascinating contrasts in road regulations and driving habits between Iceland and South Korea. From speed limits and lane usage to traffic signals and penalties, understanding these distinctions is crucial for safe navigation abroad. Get ready to enhance your knowledge and ensure your journey is as secure as it is enjoyable!
Lanes
| Iceland | 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 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. | 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
iceland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Overtaking: On Right
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
south korea:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
iceland:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
iceland:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h on gravel roads | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h on paved roads | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h on paved roads | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
iceland:
50 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Signals
| Iceland | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not used in South Korea |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | N/A | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Icelandic; symbols are standard | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
south korea:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
south korea:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
south korea:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Iceland | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Iceland | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Alcohol
| Iceland | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
south korea:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Iceland | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
south korea:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
south korea:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
south korea:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay