Driving in South Korea vs. Taiwan: A Safety Comparison
When navigating the roads of South Korea and Taiwan, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence their travel experience. Key differences include lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol restrictions. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and smooth journey in each country. Explore the essential driving contrasts to enhance your safety abroad.
Lanes
| South korea | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during specified hours. | Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles and scooters. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | Minimum two or more occupants during peak times |
| 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.
taiwan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
south korea:
Exclusive for bicycles.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
south korea:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south korea:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| South korea | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 60 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-110 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 | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
south korea:
60 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
south korea:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
south korea:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
south korea:
60-80 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
south korea:
100-120 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
south korea:
100-110 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
south korea:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
south korea:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south korea:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
south korea:
Yes
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| South korea | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in South Korea | Not used in Taiwan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Korean; symbols are standard | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Traffic Signs: Language
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| South korea | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
U- Turns Allowed
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| South korea | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof must be displayed | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
south korea:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| South korea | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
south korea:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Alcohol
| South korea | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
south korea:
0.05%
taiwan:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
| South korea | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; often part of the general emergency network | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
south korea:
112
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
south korea:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| South korea | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines and license points given | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Steep fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines and license points given | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and license points given | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and license points given | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
Common Fines: Speeding
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
south korea:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
south korea:
Fines and license points given
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
south korea:
Fines and license points given
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
south korea:
Fines and license points given
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
south korea:
Yes
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately