Driving in Israel vs. South Korea: Key Differences Explained
When traversing the roads of Israel and South Korea, understanding the variations in traffic regulations is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. Key distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol restrictions. This comparison highlights the unique driving cultures of both nations, equipping travelers with essential insights for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Israel | 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 | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that 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 | 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
israel:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Overtaking: On Right
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
israel:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
israel:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
israel:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Israel | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 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: 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
israel:
50 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
israel:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
israel:
100 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits
south korea:
N/A
Signals
| Israel | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | Not used in South Korea |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
israel:
Used before green light.
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
south korea:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Israel | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Israel | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof may be required | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Israel | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
south korea:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Israel | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
south korea:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
israel:
Can result in license suspension
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Israel | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
south korea:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Recommended
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines issued, points possible | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Yes |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
south korea:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
south korea:
Yes