Driving in Portugal vs. South Korea: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Portugal and South Korea, drivers will encounter unique regulations and practices that can impact their travel experience. From varying speed limits to distinct lane usage rules, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure journey. Explore the key distinctions to drive safely and confidently in these vibrant countries.
Lanes
| Portugal | 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 | Prohibited. | Allowed on multi-lane roads |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Reserved for buses during specified hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; 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
portugal:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Overtaking: On Right
portugal:
Prohibited.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
portugal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
portugal:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
portugal:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
portugal:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Portugal | 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 | 120 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 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 | Possible | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
portugal:
50 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
portugal:
90 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
portugal:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
portugal:
70 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
portugal:
120 km/h
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
portugal:
100 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
portugal:
90 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
portugal:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
south korea:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
portugal:
Possible
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| Portugal | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Portugal | Not used in South Korea |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Traffic Signs: Language
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Portugal | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
portugal:
Prohibited
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Portugal | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required; proof may be 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
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
portugal:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Alcohol
| Portugal | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
south korea:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Test Refusal
portugal:
Can result in license suspension
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Portugal | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local authorities | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACP | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
portugal:
Contact local authorities
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
portugal:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Portugal | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €120 to €600 | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €240 to €1,200 | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €120 to €600 | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | Yes |
Common Fines: Speeding
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Seat Belts
portugal:
€120 to €600
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
portugal:
€120 to €600
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
portugal:
Possible
south korea:
Yes