Driving Differences: North Macedonia vs. South Korea
When traversing the roads of North Macedonia and South Korea, understanding their unique driving regulations is essential for ensuring a safe journey. Key distinctions arise in speed limits, lane usage, and documentation requirements, reflecting each nation's distinct approach to road safety. Familiarize yourself with these contrasts to navigate confidently and responsibly abroad.
Lanes
| North macedonia | 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 typically allowed in North Macedonia. | 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 with road signs. | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Overtaking: On Right
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
north macedonia:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
north macedonia:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Speeds Limits
| North macedonia | 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 | 70 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
north macedonia:
50 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
north macedonia:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
north macedonia:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
70 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
north macedonia:
120 km/h
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
north macedonia:
100 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Signals
| North macedonia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepare to go | Not used in South Korea |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Prohibited in urban areas at night | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Macedonian; standard symbols | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
south korea:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
south korea:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Headlight Flash: Usage
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
south korea:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
south korea:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| North macedonia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless specified by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| North macedonia | 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 | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
north macedonia:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| North macedonia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
north macedonia:
Common practice
south korea:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Alcohol
| North macedonia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted at checkpoints | 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: Professional Drivers
north macedonia:
0.00%
south korea:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
north macedonia:
0.00%
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
north macedonia:
Can result in license suspension
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| North macedonia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 192 | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local service providers | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
north macedonia:
192
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
north macedonia:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| North macedonia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 50 EUR | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 40 EUR | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | 250 EUR, points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Seat Belts
north macedonia:
50 EUR
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
north macedonia:
40 EUR
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
south korea:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay