Driving in South Korea vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of South Korea and the United Kingdom, understanding their unique driving regulations is essential for a secure journey. Key distinctions include driving sides—right in South Korea versus left in the UK—and varying speed limits. By familiarizing yourself with these variations, you can ensure a safer experience while exploring these vibrant countries.
Lanes
| South korea | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during specified hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
south korea:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
south korea:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
south korea:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
south korea:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
south korea:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
south korea:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
south korea:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
south korea:
Yes
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
south korea:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south korea:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| South korea | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 60 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
south korea:
60 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
south korea:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
south korea:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
south korea:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
south korea:
60-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
south korea:
100-120 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
south korea:
100-110 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
south korea:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
south korea:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
south korea:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south korea:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
south korea:
Yes
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| South korea | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in South Korea | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Korean; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
south korea:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| South korea | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
south korea:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
south korea:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| South korea | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof must be displayed | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| 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
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
south korea:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| South korea | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
south korea:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| South korea | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
south korea:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
south korea:
0.03%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Test Refusal
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
united kingdom:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| South korea | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
south korea:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
south korea:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| South korea | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; often part of the general emergency network | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| 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
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
south korea:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| South korea | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines and license points given | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines and license points given | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and license points given | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and license points given | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
south korea:
Fines and license points given
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
south korea:
Fines and license points given
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
south korea:
Fines and license points given
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
south korea:
Yes
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay