Driving in Italy vs. South Korea: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads in Italy and South Korea, understanding their unique traffic regulations is essential for a safe journey. From lane markings and speed limits to the nuances of alcohol laws and emergency contacts, these two countries showcase distinct driving customs. Delve into the key variations to ensure a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Italy | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| 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 | 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
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
south korea:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
italy:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
italy:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
italy:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
italy:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
italy:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
italy:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
italy:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Italy | 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 | 70 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
italy:
50 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
90 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
italy:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
70 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
130 km/h
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
italy:
100 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
italy:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits
south korea:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| Italy | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used; prepare to go when green appears | Not used in South Korea |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Italian; symbols are standard | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Traffic Signs: Language
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Italy | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Italy | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
italy:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
italy:
Displayed on license plate
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Alcohol
| Italy | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
italy:
0.00%
south korea:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
italy:
0.00%
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
italy:
Substantial
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
italy:
Can result in license suspension
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Italy | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 (State Police) | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 116 (ACI) | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
italy:
113 (State Police)
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
italy:
116 (ACI)
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Italy | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; fines apply | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, strict enforcement | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, may include points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible, especially for foreign drivers | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Seat Belts
italy:
Varies; fines apply
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
south korea:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay