Driving in South Korea vs. Venezuela: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of South Korea and Venezuela, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experiences. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol tolerance, this comparison highlights crucial variances in driving customs. Understanding these contrasts is vital for ensuring a secure and responsible journey in both countries.
Lanes
| South korea | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Presence | Yes | Yes, usually in larger cities |
| 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 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Infrequent |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Where available, exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols may be used. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
venezuela:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
venezuela:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
south korea:
Yes
venezuela:
Yes, usually in larger cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
venezuela:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
venezuela:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
south korea:
Yes
venezuela:
Infrequent
Cycle Lanes: Usage
south korea:
Exclusive for bicycles.
venezuela:
Where available, exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
venezuela:
Bicycle symbols may be used.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
south korea:
Yes
venezuela:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
venezuela:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| South korea | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 60 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
Urban Areas: Standard
south korea:
60 km/h
venezuela:
30-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
south korea:
80-100 km/h
venezuela:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
south korea:
80-100 km/h
venezuela:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
south korea:
60-80 km/h
venezuela:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
south korea:
100-120 km/h
venezuela:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
south korea:
100-110 km/h
venezuela:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
south korea:
80-100 km/h
venezuela:
70-90 km/h
Signals
| South korea | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in South Korea | Not used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Korean; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background | Diamond-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
venezuela:
Not used
Traffic Signs: Language
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
venezuela:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
venezuela:
Diamond-shaped with red border
Turns
| South korea | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally allowed unless otherwise indicated by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
venezuela:
Generally allowed unless otherwise indicated by signs
Documentation
| South korea | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof must be displayed | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| 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
venezuela:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
venezuela:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
venezuela:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
venezuela:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
venezuela:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| South korea | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
south korea:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
venezuela:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| South korea | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used | Fairly common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
south korea:
0.05%
venezuela:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
south korea:
0.03%
venezuela:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
venezuela:
Fairly common
Enforcement: Fines
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
venezuela:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
venezuela:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| South korea | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; often part of the general emergency network | 171 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
south korea:
112
venezuela:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
venezuela:
171
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
venezuela:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| South korea | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines and license points given | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines and license points given | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and license points given | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and license points given | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Yes, sometimes possible |
Common Fines: Speeding
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
venezuela:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
south korea:
Fines and license points given
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Phone Use
south korea:
Fines and license points given
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
south korea:
Fines and license points given
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
south korea:
Yes
venezuela:
Yes, sometimes possible