South Korea Drives Right, Japan Left (2026): 100 km/h, 0.03% BAC

Japan drives on the left and South Korea on the right. Both set expressways at 100 km/h and an alcohol limit of 0.03%. Japan’s ordinary-road default is 60 km/h. Japan’s 1949-convention IDP is valid for one year from landing in Japan.

Expressway and ordinary-road speed limits

Korea posts 50 km/h in built-up areas, 60 on ordinary rural roads (80 on dual carriageways) and 100 on expressways, with 120 on designated routes, 80 on single-lane expressways and 90 on motor-vehicle-only roads; limits drop 20% in rain or settling snow and 50% on snow-covered roads or in fog. Japan posts 60 km/h on ordinary roads, 30 where there is no centre line or where signed, and 100 on expressways with 120 on selected sections.

Opposite sides, equal alcohol limits

Both countries set 0.03%, so there is no alcohol gap. Penalties differ: a handheld phone costs KRW 70,000 and 15 points in Korea, JPY 18,000 and 3 points in Japan; Japan issues only a warning and a point for a first seatbelt offence.

International driving permit for Korea or Japan

Korea accepts a 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna IDP, or a bilaterally recognised licence, for one year from entry (Road Traffic Act art. 96). Japan accepts only the 1949 Geneva type, so US, UK and many EU licences need that specific permit.

Speeding ticket in Korea or Japan

Korean fines run KRW 30,000-40,000 up to 20 km/h over and KRW 130,000 or more above 60. Japanese fines run JPY 9,000 up to 15 km/h over to JPY 35,000 or more above 35, and the criminal threshold is 30 km/h over on ordinary roads and 40 on expressways. Camera tolerance is about 10 km/h in Japan.

Are winter tyres compulsory? Kit rules too

Neither has a national winter-tyre rule; Japanese prefectures set anti-skid requirements when roads are snow-covered or frozen. Korea requires a warning triangle and recommends a vest; Japan lists only a triangle.

Emergency numbers

Korea uses 112 for police and 119 for ambulance and fire. Japan uses 110 for police and 119 for ambulance and fire.

International driving permit for Japan and Korea

Japan accepts only the 1949 Geneva Convention permit, and a licence from the US, UK or many EU countries needs that specific document. A 1949-convention IDP is valid for one year from landing in Japan. Check which permit your licence needs before you travel, using the international driving permit guide and the driving permit checker.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does South Korea drive on the left or right?

On the right. Japan drives on the left.

Which IDP does Japan accept?

Only the 1949 Geneva Convention type.

What is the speed limit on Korean expressways?

100 km/h on expressways with two or more lanes each way, 120 km/h on designated routes and 80 on single-lane expressways.

How does snow change Korean speed limits?

Limits drop 20% in rain or settling snow and 50% on snow-covered roads or in fog under 100 m visibility.

What is the Japanese criminal speeding threshold?

30 km/h over on ordinary roads and 40 on expressways.