Driving in Russia vs. South Korea: Key Safety Differences
The driving landscape in Russia and South Korea presents intriguing contrasts that are crucial for travelers. From speed limits to traffic signals, notable distinctions influence road etiquette and safety. For instance, while Russia allows overtaking on multi-lane roads, South Korea maintains specific bus lane regulations. Understanding these variations ensures a safer journey abroad.
Lanes
| Russia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided 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 and taxis. | Reserved for buses during specified hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. | 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
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Overtaking: On Right
russia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
russia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
russia:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
russia:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
russia:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Russia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 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 | Yes; but fines are also mailed | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
russia:
20 km/h
south korea:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
russia:
90 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
russia:
90 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
russia:
70-80 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
russia:
110 km/h
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
russia:
90-100 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
russia:
90 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
russia:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
south korea:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| Russia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Russia | Not used in South Korea |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Russian; symbols are standard | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
russia:
Not used in Russia
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Traffic Signs: Language
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Russia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Russia | 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 | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually indicated in vehicle documents | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
russia:
Not mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Alcohol
| Russia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.035% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially in cities | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
russia:
0.035%
south korea:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
russia:
0.00%
south korea:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
russia:
0.00%
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
russia:
Common, especially in cities
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Test Refusal
russia:
Can result in license suspension
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Russia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers; 113 is common | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Russia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points in the record | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Seat Belts
russia:
Fines apply
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
russia:
Fines apply
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
south korea:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay