Driving Differences: South Korea vs. Sweden Explained
When navigating the roads of South Korea and Sweden, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that can significantly impact safety. Notable contrasts include speed limits, lane usage, and traffic signals. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey abroad, making this comparison essential for travelers venturing into these diverse driving environments.
Lanes
| South korea | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during specified hours. | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | N/A |
| 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.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
south korea:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
south korea:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
sweden:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
south korea:
Yes
sweden:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
sweden:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
south korea:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south korea:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| South korea | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 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 | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
south korea:
60 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
south korea:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
south korea:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
south korea:
60-80 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
south korea:
100-120 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
south korea:
100-110 km/h
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
south korea:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
south korea:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south korea:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
south korea:
Yes
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| South korea | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in South Korea | Not common in Sweden. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Use is generally discouraged. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Korean; symbols are standard | Swedish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
south korea:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
south korea:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
south korea:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
south korea:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
south korea:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
south korea:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
south korea:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
south korea:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
south korea:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
south korea:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| South korea | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not generally allowed. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
south korea:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
south korea:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
south korea:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
south korea:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| South korea | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof must be displayed | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Proof may be required to be shown. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Driver's License: Requirement
south korea:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
south korea:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
south korea:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| South korea | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Rarely used except for emergencies. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
south korea:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
south korea:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
south korea:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
south korea:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
south korea:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
south korea:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
south korea:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
south korea:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
south korea:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| South korea | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Zero tolerance; 0.00%. |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for high levels or repeat offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
south korea:
0.05%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
south korea:
0.03%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
south korea:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
south korea:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
south korea:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| South korea | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if you plan to take the first exit. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
south korea:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
south korea:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
south korea:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
south korea:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
south korea:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
south korea:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| South korea | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; often part of the general emergency network | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Contact: Traffic Police
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
south korea:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| South korea | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines and license points given | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines and license points given | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and license points given | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and license points given | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Typically within 30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
south korea:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
south korea:
Fines and license points given
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
south korea:
Fines and license points given
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
south korea:
Fines and license points given
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
south korea:
Yes
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
south korea:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
south korea:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.