Entering and merging
In Korea, when entering an expressway you must not obstruct vehicles already on the main road. On the acceleration lane, signal, speed up to close to the traffic speed, then find a gap and merge.
Stopping at the end of the acceleration lane endangers both the car behind and the traffic you are joining. Check mirrors and blind spots early and pick your gap. When you are on the main road and see a car merging, moving left or adjusting your speed, if safe, helps traffic flow.
To exit, move to the right lane well before the exit, enter the deceleration lane, then slow down. If you miss the exit, go on to the next one. Never reverse, drive against traffic or stop on the shoulder.
Driving lane, passing lane and speed limits
- On expressways with two or more lanes each way, lane 1 (the leftmost) is for vehicles overtaking. After passing, return to a driving lane on the right.
- Overtake on the left of the vehicle ahead. Passing on the right is dangerous and can be a violation.
- Which lanes a vehicle may use depends on its type; large buses and trucks mainly use the right lanes. Signs show this for each section.
- Speed limits: 80 km/h on expressways with one lane each way; up to 100 km/h with two or more lanes (up to 120 km/h on sections designated by the police), with a minimum of 50 km/h. Trucks and some other vehicles have lower limits, and posted signs take precedence.
- Crossing, U-turns and reversing are prohibited on expressways, and stopping or parking is not allowed except in unavoidable cases such as a breakdown.
Shoulders and bus-only lanes
In principle you may not drive on the expressway shoulder. Exceptions are emergency vehicles, vehicles with unavoidable reasons such as a breakdown, and sections where the road authority runs hard-shoulder running and allows it by signs or signals. Using the shoulder to skip congestion risks hitting broken-down cars or people who have taken refuge there.
Some sections, such as the Gyeongbu Expressway, have bus-only lanes. Besides buses, passenger cars and vans with 9 or more seats may use them when carrying 6 or more people. Operating days, hours and sections are shown by blue lines and signs.
What to do in a breakdown or crash
- If something feels wrong, turn on your hazard lights and move the car to the shoulder or a rest area if you can.
- If you cannot move the car, leave the hazard lights on and open the trunk to warn following traffic.
- Everyone gets out and moves behind the guardrail or to another safe place. Staying in the car or standing in front of or behind it is the most dangerous option.
- Place the breakdown warning sign (warning triangle) where approaching drivers can see it. At night you must also set out a red flashing light, electric lamp or flare visible from 500 m in every direction. If placing it is dangerous, do not force it — getting to safety comes first.
- From a safe spot, report your location to 112, 119 or the Korea Expressway Corporation call center (1588-2504). Giving the distance marker on posts or signs helps them find you.
Drowsy driving and long trips
Drowsy driving is very dangerous because even a moment with your eyes shut means the car travels tens of meters with no one controlling it. Frequent yawning or drifting out of your lane means your body is already warning you.
A common recommendation is to rest at a service area or drowsiness shelter about every two hours. Much official guidance says a short nap of around 15 to 20 minutes works better than coffee or gum. Ventilate the car and sleep well the night before a trip.
If you have taken cold or allergy medicine that may cause drowsiness, check the label or ask a pharmacist before driving.
FAQ
Can I stay in lane 1 the whole way?
On expressways with two or more lanes each way, lane 1 is for overtaking. Staying there after passing can be a lane-use violation, so return to a driving lane. There is an exception when congestion forces traffic below 80 km/h.
Can I change a flat tire myself on the expressway?
Even on the shoulder, traffic passes very close and fast. It is safer to warn others with hazard lights and the triangle, get behind the guardrail, and call your insurer's roadside service or the Korea Expressway Corporation call center.
I missed my exit. Can I reverse along the shoulder?
No. Reversing and driving against traffic are prohibited on expressways and can cause very serious crashes. Take the next exit and come back.
Do rear-seat passengers need seat belts on expressways?
Yes. In Korea, seat belts have been mandatory in every seat on all roads since 2018. Rear passengers can be badly hurt in expressway crashes.
Sources
- Road Traffic Act
- Enforcement Rule of the Road Traffic Act
- Korea Road Traffic Authority Safe Driving Integrated Service
- Korean National Police Agency
Laws change. This is general information. Check KoROAD or the Korean Law Information Center for the latest rules.
Related
Remember the order: stop, check on people, prevent a bigger crash, report, record. Leaving when someone is hurt counts as hit-and-run, however minor the crash.
Driving in Bad WeatherIn bad weather the rule is slower, farther back and smoother than usual. Korea's Enforcement Rule of the Road Traffic Act requires cutting the maximum speed by 20% or 50% in rain, snow and fog.
Guide for New DriversAs a new driver, aim to be predictable rather than fast. A good seating position, well-set mirrors, a generous following distance and early turn signals remove many dangerous moments.
Written Test PracticeOriginal practice questions to cover every area of Korea's written test. Practice by topic, check your level with a 40-question mock exam, then collect and redo the ones you got wrong.