Driving in Saudi Arabia vs. South Korea: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Saudi Arabia and South Korea, drivers encounter distinct traffic regulations and practices that influence overall safety. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol consumption policies. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad, allowing travelers to adapt seamlessly to each country's unique road culture.
Lanes
| Saudi arabia | 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses during specified hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or three occupants | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
saudi arabia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Overtaking: On Right
saudi arabia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
south korea:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
saudi arabia:
N/A
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
saudi arabia:
N/A
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
south korea:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
saudi arabia:
N/A
south korea:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
saudi arabia:
N/A
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
saudi arabia:
Minimum two or three occupants
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
saudi arabia:
N/A
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Saudi arabia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120-140 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 100-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
saudi arabia:
40-60 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
saudi arabia:
30-40 km/h
south korea:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
saudi arabia:
100 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
saudi arabia:
N/A
south korea:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| Saudi arabia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Saudi Arabia | Not used in South Korea |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; 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
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Traffic Signs: Language
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
saudi arabia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Saudi arabia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
saudi arabia:
Not allowed
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Saudi arabia | 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 | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory periodic inspection required | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Saudi arabia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use for communication on the road | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
south korea:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Saudi arabia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, random checkpoints are used | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; possible imprisonment | Varies; can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Frequent for offenses | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
saudi arabia:
0.00%
south korea:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
saudi arabia:
0.00%
south korea:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
saudi arabia:
0.00%
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
south korea:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Saudi arabia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
saudi arabia:
999
south korea:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
saudi arabia:
993
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
saudi arabia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Saudi arabia | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer | Yes |
Common Fines: Speeding
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Alcohol
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
south korea:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer
south korea:
Yes