Why does South Korea drive on the right? (2024)

Korea now drives right, but only because it passed directly from Japanese colonial rule to American and Russian influence at the end of the Second World War. Pakistan also considered changing to the right in the 1960s, but ultimately decided not to do it.

Did Korea ever drive on the left?

Almost always, in countries where one drives on the right-hand side of the road, the cars are built so that the driver sits on the left-hand side of the car.

List of all left- & right-driving countries around the world.

Country / state / territorydrive(s) on theleft / right
Korea, Southdrives on theright

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Why does South Korea drive on the right? (1)

Why does America drive on the left?

The reason had to do with the folks driving those bulky Conestoga wagons, which reportedly started to be used around 1750. Per the Federal Highway Administration, "the drivers rode the left wheel horse" so they could better gauge the distance between passing wagons.

Why does Japan drive on the left?

In essence, driving on the left has little to do with cars. Quite the contrary, it's all for the convenience of the samurai and Japanese road usage logic. You see, at the time of the samurai, city streets and footpaths were quite narrow. In addition, most samurai were right-handed and wore their katana on the left.

Is right hand drive legal in Korea?

Is Korea a left or right-hand drive? Korea drives on the right hand, the same as the USA and most European countries.
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Why do Americans drive on the right?

New York, in 1804, became the first State to prescribe right hand travel on all public highways. By the Civil War, right hand travel was followed in every State. Drivers tended to sit on the right so they could ensure their buggy, wagon, or other vehicle didn't run into a roadside ditch.

Can Americans drive in South Korea?

How long can I legally drive in Korea? USFK Regulation 190-1 allows you to drive the first 30 days after arrival on your state side driver's license. Beyond the first 30 days, you must have a valid International Driver's Permit, a Korean driver's license or a USFK Driver's License (USFK 134EK).

Has the US ever driven on the left?

Thus, most American cars produced before 1910 were made with right-side driver seating, although intended for right-side driving. Such vehicles remained in common use until 1915, and the 1908 Model T was the first of Ford's cars to feature a left-side driving position.

Why doesn t Canada drive on the left?

Nevertheless, with the rise of the automobile, many countries have switched to the right to fit in with their neighbors. Canada abandoned the left side of the road in the 1920s to facilitate traffic to and from the United States.

Why do British drive on the left?

Traffic congestion in 18th century London led to a law being passed to make all traffic on London Bridge keep to the left in order to reduce collisions. This rule was incorporated into the Highway Act of 1835 and was adopted throughout the British Empire.

Can Americans drive in Korea?

USFK Regulation 190-1 allows you to drive the first 30 days after arrival on your state side driver's license. Beyond the first 30 days, you must have a valid International Driver's Permit, a Korean driver's license or a USFK Driver's License (USFK 134EK).

Why did England decide to drive on the left?

Traffic congestion in 18th century London led to a law being passed to make all traffic on London Bridge keep to the left in order to reduce collisions. This rule was incorporated into the Highway Act of 1835 and was adopted throughout the British Empire.

Can girls drive in Korea?

Nowadays, women in South Korea are guaranteed all the legal rights that men have. In 1948, women gained their legal rights to vote, drive, and own and inherit properties and assets.

Is drunk driving illegal in South Korea?

The law is intended to warn drivers that they should not drive even if they have one drink. Even one shot of soju, before getting behind the wheel, may lead to a violation of law, since Driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05% is drunk driving in Korea.

Why does China drive on the right?

After 1946, China followed the United States, by changing to driving on the right, due to political reasons that the United States helped China to fight against Japanese occupation during World War II and American cars (mostly LHD) were already popular in the mainland.

Why does Canada drive on the left?

Canada, for instance, originally decided to continue driving on the left since part of the country was a British colony. But French-controlled Quebec naturally gravitated towards driving on the right.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=19ClWSzsMnk

Why do Brits drive on the left?

Traffic congestion in 18th century London led to a law being passed to make all traffic on London Bridge keep to the left in order to reduce collisions. This rule was incorporated into the Highway Act of 1835 and was adopted throughout the British Empire.

Did the US ever drive on the left?

Thus, most American cars produced before 1910 were made with right-side driver seating, although intended for right-side driving. Such vehicles remained in common use until 1915, and the 1908 Model T was the first of Ford's cars to feature a left-side driving position.

Why do Americans drive on right side?

When cars were invented, Henry Ford was a big influence in American driving customs as he built his Model T with the driver on the left side of the car, meaning drivers would have to drive on the right side of the road so their passengers could exit the car on the curb and not into oncoming traffic.

What is the legal drinking age in Korea?

19 years of age

Alcohol. The legal drinking age in Korea is 19 years of age. Although it is legal to drink alcohol in public, disorderly conduct under the influence of alcohol can result in hefty fines and a visit to the police station.

Why does Korea have woman only parking?

South Korea's capital Seoul is removing women-only parking spaces, 14 years after they were introduced as a protection for women. The women-only spots had been instated in 2009 after a spate of violent crimes in basem*nt car parks.

Can a 15 year old drive in Korea?

Driving licenses in South Korea may be attained at age 18 for cars and motorcycles. South Korea is one of the few nations that issue International Driving Permits (IDP) to sixteen-year-olds.

When did the US switch to left-hand drive?

Thus, most American cars produced before 1910 were made with right-side driver seating, although intended for right-side driving. Such vehicles remained in common use until 1915, and the 1908 Model T was the first of Ford's cars to feature a left-side driving position.

Does Mexico drive on the left?

Mexico Driving Rules and Regulations

Here are some of the rules and regulations that you should take notice of before you start driving in Mexico: In Mexico, they drive on the right-hand side of the road and over take on the left. The legal driving age is 18.

Why does Europe drive on the left?

The practice is believed to date back to ancient Rome. Romans steered their carts and chariots with the left hand, to free up the right so they could use weapons to defend against enemy attacks. This carried over into medieval Europe and in 1773, the British government passed measures to make left-hand traffic the law.

Did Mexico drive on the left?

Driving is on the right side of the road in Mexico, which makes initial orientation a simple affair. Traffic signs are in Spanish, so before their trip, travelers should Google Mexican road signs to brush up on the most critical of these, such as ALTO (STOP) or CURVA PELIGROSA (DANGEROUS CURVE).

Why does South Korea drive on the right? (2024)

FAQs

Why does South Korea drive on the right? ›

Korea now drives right, but only because it passed directly from Japanese colonial rule to American and Russian influence at the end of the Second World War. Pakistan also considered changing to the right in the 1960s, but ultimately decided not to do it.

Does South Korea drive on the right? ›

South Korea drives on the right side of the road.

Why does South Korea drive on the left? ›

Both North Korea and South Korea use RHT since 1946, after liberation from Japanese colonial power. Japan was never part of the British Empire, but its traffic also drives on the left.

Why did Japan choose to drive on the left? ›

You see, at the time of the samurai, city streets and footpaths were quite narrow. In addition, most samurai were right-handed and wore their katana on the left. That's why they kept to the left side of the road to avoid crossing swords and bumping into each other.

Why is America the only country that drives on the right side? ›

American Traditions

Riding on the right ensured that the whip never inadvertently hit a passing rider. In addition, following the American Revolution, the fledgling country wanted to throw off any remaining ties with England. By 1813 driving on the right was law in three states.

Why does America drive on the left? ›

Things changed in the late 1700s when large wagons pulled by several pairs of horses were used to transport farm products in France and the United States. In the absence of a driver's seat inside the wagon, the driver sat on the rear left horse, with his right arm free to use his whip to keep the horses moving.

Do Koreans drive on the left? ›

Is Korea a left or right-hand drive? Korea drives on the right hand, the same as the USA and most European countries.

Why do some countries drive on the left and some on the right? ›

Most of the world drives on the right side of the road. But around 76 countries and territories use left-hand traffic. The practice is believed to date back to ancient Rome. Romans steered their carts and chariots with the left hand, to free up the right so they could use weapons to defend against enemy attacks.

Why doesn t Canada drive on the left? ›

About two thirds of the countries in the world drive on the right including the USA, China and Russia. Canada used to drive on the left but changed to the right to make border crossings with the United States of America more manageable. The reasons for driving on different sides of the road are historical.

Why do we drive on the right? ›

New York, in 1804, became the first State to prescribe right hand travel on all public highways. By the Civil War, right hand travel was followed in every State. Drivers tended to sit on the right so they could ensure their buggy, wagon, or other vehicle didn't run into a roadside ditch.

Which country drive on left? ›

The 64 countries that drive on the left are Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bangladesh, Barbados, Bermuda, Bhutan, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Dominica, East Timor, Fiji, Grenada, Guernsey, Guyana, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Japan, Jersey, ...

Is it safer to drive on the left or right? ›

It can't be said for certain if there's a traffic handedness that is more conducive to safe driving. It has been noticed that countries that drive on the left side of the road have considerably fewer traffic accidents and fatalities than those that drive on the right side of the road.

What is the legal age to drive in Japan? ›

The Legal Driving Age in Japan

The minimum driving age is 18 years old for a car and 16 years old for a motorcycle (apart from a heavy motorcycle).

Why do British drive on the left? ›

It is possible that the custom of driving on the left dates back to pre-history and may later have been used as an early road safety measure. At a time when the main danger on the roads was mugging, careful travellers would pass on-coming strangers on the left with their sword arm towards the passer-by.

Does China drive on the left? ›

Laws. In mainland China, traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road. Various neighbours such as Hong Kong, Macau, India, Nepal and Pakistan drive on the left. The Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国道路交通安全法) applies to all vehicles in China except military vehicles.

Do people in Korea drive on the left? ›

Is Korea a left or right-hand drive? Korea drives on the right hand, the same as the USA and most European countries.

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