Driving in Norway vs. South Korea: Key Differences Explained
When traversing the roads of Norway and South Korea, travelers must navigate distinct traffic regulations and norms. From lane markings to speed limits, notable contrasts exist: Norway emphasizes cautious overtaking and lower urban speeds, while South Korea permits right turns on red and higher limits. Understanding these regulations is essential for a secure journey in each country.
Lanes
| Norway | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not standard in Norway. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. | 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. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
south korea:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
norway:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Norway | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 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: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
norway:
30-50 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
norway:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
norway:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
norway:
80 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
norway:
90-110 km/h
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
norway:
90-100 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
norway:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
norway:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
south korea:
N/A
Signals
| Norway | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Norway | Not used in South Korea |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places | 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
norway:
Not used in Norway
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Traffic Signs: Language
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Norway | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
norway:
Not allowed
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Norway | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with a national driving license | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | None | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
norway:
None
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
norway:
Recommended
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Alcohol
| Norway | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | High fines and possible license revocation | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
norway:
0.02%
south korea:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
norway:
0.02%
south korea:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
norway:
Can result in license suspension
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Norway | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 02800 | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NAF | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
norway:
02800
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
norway:
Recommended
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Norway | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 1500 NOK | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 1700 NOK | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; substantial fines | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, typically required | Yes |
Common Fines: Speeding
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Alcohol
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
south korea:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
norway:
1500 NOK
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
norway:
1700 NOK
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
norway:
Yes, typically required
south korea:
Yes