Driving Differences: India vs South Korea Explained
Discover the diverse road regulations between India and South Korea, highlighting crucial distinctions in lane usage, speed limits, and traffic signals. As you navigate these countries, understanding their unique driving norms will enhance your travel experience and ensure a safer journey on unfamiliar roads.
Lanes
| India | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, but only when safe. | Allowed on multi-lane roads |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some metropolitan areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. | Reserved for buses during specified hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | Yes |
| 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 |
Driving Side
india:
Left
south korea:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
india:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Overtaking: On Left
india:
No
south korea:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
india:
Use leftmost lane.
south korea:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
south korea:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some areas
south korea:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Markings
india:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
india:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
india:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Speeds Limits
| India | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-70 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major cities and highways | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly used | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
india:
40-50 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
60-80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
india:
60-80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-70 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
80-120 km/h
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
india:
80-100 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
south korea:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
india:
Yes, commonly used
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| India | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in India | Not used in South Korea |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | More common due to varied vehicle conditions | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and local languages; 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
india:
Not used in India
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
south korea:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
south korea:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
india:
Triangular with red border
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| India | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Left Turn: General
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
south korea:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| India | 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 required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | PUC sticker displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory
south korea:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
india:
Not mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| India | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to other countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
south korea:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
south korea:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
south korea:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
south korea:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| India | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; fines can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
india:
0.03%
south korea:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
india:
0.00%
south korea:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
india:
0.00%
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| India | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
south korea:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
south korea:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| India | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south korea:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| India | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Seat Belts
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
south korea:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay