Driving Differences: South Korea vs Spain Safety Insights
Driving in South Korea and Spain presents unique challenges and regulations that every traveler should know. While South Korea emphasizes strict lane markings and speed limits, Spain prioritizes variable speed indications and distinct traffic signals. Understanding these driving distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience on the roads of these vibrant countries.
Lanes
| South korea | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during specified hours. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Usage
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
south korea:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south korea:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| South korea | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
south korea:
60 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
south korea:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
south korea:
80-100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
south korea:
80-100 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
south korea:
60-80 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
south korea:
100-120 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
south korea:
100-110 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
south korea:
80-100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
south korea:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south korea:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
south korea:
Yes
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| South korea | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in South Korea | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Korean; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| South korea | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| South korea | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof must be displayed | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
south korea:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| South korea | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
south korea:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| South korea | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Enforcement: Random Checks
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| South korea | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; often part of the general emergency network | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| South korea | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines and license points given | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines and license points given | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and license points given | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and license points given | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
Common Fines: Speeding
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
south korea:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
south korea:
Fines and license points given
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
south korea:
Fines and license points given
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
south korea:
Fines and license points given
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
south korea:
Yes
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.