Driving Differences: Mexico vs. South Korea Explained
When navigating the roads of Mexico and South Korea, it's essential to understand the distinct rules and practices that govern each country's driving culture. From speed limits and lane usage to penalties for infractions, these variations can significantly impact your travel experience. Discover the crucial contrasts between these two nations to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Mexico | 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 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. | Reserved for buses during specified hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| 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
mexico:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Overtaking: On Right
mexico:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
south korea:
Exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
mexico:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
mexico:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Mexico | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 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 | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100-110 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
mexico:
40-60 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
70-80 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80-100 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
south korea:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| Mexico | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mexico | Not used in South Korea |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Traffic Signs: Language
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Mexico | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Mexico | 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 | Varies by state; proof may be required | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the 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
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory
south korea:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mexico:
Not mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Mexico | 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
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
south korea:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Mexico | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
mexico:
0.08%
south korea:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
mexico:
0.04%
south korea:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
mexico:
0.00%
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
mexico:
Can be substantial
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
mexico:
Can result in license suspension
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Mexico | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 066 or 911 | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' | 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: General Emergency
mexico:
911
south korea:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
mexico:
066 or 911
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south korea:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Mexico | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, up to $50, points in some states | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; can lead to significant fines | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; system improvements for online payments | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
south korea:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay