Driving Safety: South Korea vs Turkey – Key Differences
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between South Korea and Turkey, two countries with unique driving cultures. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and traffic signals. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey when navigating unfamiliar terrain abroad.
Lanes
| South korea | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during specified hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| 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.
turkey:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
turkey:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
south korea:
Yes
turkey:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
turkey:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
south korea:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south korea:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| South korea | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 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, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Standard
south korea:
60 km/h
turkey:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
south korea:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
south korea:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
south korea:
60-80 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
south korea:
100-120 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
south korea:
100-110 km/h
turkey:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
south korea:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
south korea:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south korea:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
south korea:
Yes
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| South korea | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in South Korea | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Korean; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
south korea:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| South korea | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| South korea | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof must be displayed | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| 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
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| South korea | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
south korea:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| South korea | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
south korea:
0.03%
turkey:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| South korea | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; often part of the general emergency network | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| South korea | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines and license points given | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines and license points given | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and license points given | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and license points given | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
south korea:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
south korea:
Fines and license points given
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
south korea:
Fines and license points given
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
south korea:
Fines and license points given
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
south korea:
Yes
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges