Driving in Latvia vs. South Korea: Key Safety Differences
When venturing into Latvia or South Korea, understanding the nuances in road regulations is crucial for your safety. This comparison highlights significant contrasts, from lane usage to speed limits, ensuring you navigate confidently. Discover how each country prioritizes road etiquette and enforcement, enhancing your travel experience abroad.
Lanes
| Latvia | 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 | Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear. | 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
latvia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Overtaking: On Right
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
latvia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
latvia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
latvia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
latvia:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
latvia:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
latvia:
N/A
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Latvia | 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 | 80 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines are often issued immediately | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
latvia:
50 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
latvia:
90 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
latvia:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
latvia:
80 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
latvia:
100 km/h
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
latvia:
90 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
latvia:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
latvia:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
latvia:
Electronic signs display current limits
south korea:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| Latvia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Latvia | Not used in South Korea |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Latvian; symbols are standard | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
latvia:
Signal when entering and exiting
south korea:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Latvia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Latvia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required | 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 vehicle inspection required | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
latvia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
latvia:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Latvia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
Pedestrians Priority
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
south korea:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Alcohol
| Latvia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially on weekends | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies based on BAC | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
latvia:
0.00%
south korea:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
latvia:
0.00%
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Latvia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies | 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 | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
latvia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
latvia:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Latvia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €20 to €300, points on license | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €20 to €40, fines vary | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €10 to €30, fines vary | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €30 to €70, points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be settled at the time | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Alcohol
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
south korea:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
south korea:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay