Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
be drivers have to complete an hour-long traffic safety course at one of 26 government-run
testing locations nationwide. They also have to pass a multiple-choice exam (available in
English and a few other languages) and course and on-road driving tests that cover things
like parallel parking, sudden stops, and gear changes.
A standard driver's license also entitles the bearer to drive scooters or motorcycles with
engine sizes of up to 125 cc; for anything bigger than that, a separate class of license is
needed.
RULES OF THE ROAD
On the surface, South Korea's roads will look reassuringly familiar, especially to North
Americans—people drive on the right, traffic signals and lanes generally work in the same
way, and road signs and symbols (apart from the regular absence of English) are nearly
identical to those back home. Anyone driving here for the first time, however, quickly
learns that the unwritten rules of the road are very different. While things are improving,
local drivers are still somewhat notorious for their aggressive and occasionally dangerous
ways. People regularly ignore speed limits and honk to berate those who don't, cut into oth-
er lanes without signaling or a second thought, run red lights and stop in the middle of inter-
sections, park (and sometimes drive!) on sidewalks, and engage in mini-games of chicken
on narrow roads (the bigger vehicle usually wins). Foreigners soon find they have to drive
substantially more aggressively and be a lot less polite to survive local rush hours.
Driving laws are similar to those in other countries, if somewhat more loosely applied,
with prohibitions on illegal parking, violating speed limits, driving under the influence of
alcohol, or using mobile phones behind the wheel. The rules are enforced by police patrols
and cameras in some areas, and violations are punished with tickets that usually include a
fine and demerit points—earn enough and you'll lose your license. For more serious infrac-
tions, such as drunk driving, offenders will be criminally prosecuted.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search