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Understand Korean turning rules, including protected and unprotected turns, U-turn signs, traffic signals, and common intersection scenarios.
$19 for one year of full access.
Includes free updates as Korean laws change.
$19 for one year of full access.
Includes free updates as Korean laws change.
One challenge of driving in Korea is learning how to read traffic signals and signs.
The same instruction may be presented in several different ways depending on the intersection.
The three examples above communicate the same U-turn rule. However, the rule is displayed in different ways depending on the intersection.
At first glance, it may not be obvious that they mean similar things. Learning to quickly recognize these patterns will make driving in Korea much easier.
In addition, some important driving instructions may be written in small text near traffic signals. These signs can be easy to miss, especially from a distance.
⚠️ If your eyesight is poor, glasses or contact lenses are strongly recommended.
Most turning rules in Korea can be understood using these three categories.
Prohibited means the movement is not allowed.
Designated means a sign or signal tells you when to proceed.
Permitted (Unprotected) means the movement is allowed, but you must decide when it is safe to go.
⚠️ Note: These categories are used for learning purposes in this guide and are not official legal terms.
The following sections explain each turn in more detail.
Most left turns in Korea fit into one of these two situations.
This is the most common protected left turn.
The number of signal lights (3-light or 4-light signals) is not very important.
The important question is:
"Do I have a left-turn signal right now?"
You may turn left during the green signal.
Because it is an unprotected left turn, always check for oncoming vehicles and pedestrians.
These signs mean the same thing.
The second sign simply spells out the rule more explicitly for drivers.
In both cases, left turns are permitted on a green signal unless another restriction is posted.
Sometimes additional signs allow left turns under different conditions.
This is why reading signs is very important.
You may occasionally encounter more specific left-turn instructions.
A designated left-turn signal may be provided, but the turn can also be made during the green through signal.
When turning without the designated signal, drivers must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
This is still an unprotected left turn.
The turn is permitted during the pedestrian signal. Drivers must always yield to pedestrians.
This is still an unprotected left turn.
⚠️ Rarely, a sign may permit a left turn during a red signal. Always follow the exact instructions shown on the sign.
⚠️ The signal alone may not tell the whole story. Always check nearby signs for additional instructions.
✅ Do not turn left during a normal green light unless a sign allows it.
✅ Unprotected does not mean "always allowed." A red light still means stop.
✅ Unprotected means permission, not priority.
Always yield to:
Many U-turn locations also allow left turns.
However:
Always check:
Most U-turn situations in Korea are determined by traffic signs.
The most common signs are explained first, followed by other less common signs and situations.
U-turns are permitted only when indicated by signs.
The three signs below cover the most common U-turn situations in Korea.
• U-turn on Left-Turn Signal
• U-turn on Pedestrian Signal
• U-turn on Red Signal
U-turn on Left-Turn Signal
U-turn on Pedestrian Signal
U-turn on Red Signal
These conditions are not always used individually.
Multiple conditions may be combined on the same sign.
The most common combinations include :
• U-turn on Left-Turn Signal + Pedestrian Signal
• U-turn on Pedestrian Signal + Left-Turn Signal (Same)
These are the same rule presented in a different signal order.
These two examples mean the same thing.
The order of the conditions may vary, but the permitted U-turn conditions are identical.
Some signs use a single condition, while others combine multiple conditions on the same sign.
Some signs use a straight-and-left-turn signal instead of a standard left-turn signal.
For U-turn purposes, they are generally treated the same.
The difference is that the left-turn signal is displayed together with the straight-through signal.
Not every U-turn rule applies to every vehicle.
Some signs allow U-turns only for passenger cars.
If you are driving a bus, truck, or other large vehicle, the sign may not apply to you.
You may see:
This usually means an unprotected U-turn.
⚠️ You must decide whether it is safe.
✅ Learn to read U-turn signs.
✅ The sign is often more important than the signal itself.
☑️ The U-turn sign may not be directly next to the signal. Always scan the entire intersection.
☑️ The sign may not use a standard U-turn arrow. Different designs are common.
Some right turns use dedicated signals.
However, most right turns in Korea are unprotected.
Unprotected right turns are extremely common in Korea, so understanding how they work is essential for everyday driving.
The most common type of right turn in Korea.
⚠️ On a red signal, you must come to a complete stop before proceeding when safe.
⚠️ As of April 2026, enforcement of right-turn rules has become stricter in Korea. Be sure to stop when required and always yield to pedestrians.
Less common in Korea.
Unlike many traffic systems, designated right-turn signals in Korea are not always displayed in a consistent format.
They may appear as:
• A right-turn arrow signal
• A separate vertical signal
• A standard horizontal signal alongside the main traffic signal
Although the display may look different, the purpose is the same :
the signal specifically tells you when the right turn is allowed.
Always check the signal carefully, as the display style may vary from one intersection to another.
A right turn is not always allowed, even when there is no dedicated right-turn signal. Restrictions may be indicated through traffic signals, signs, or both. Always check for additional instructions before turning.
Some intersections use a designated signal to indicate when right turns are prohibited. The signal may appear in different formats depending on the intersection.
The turn is prohibited at all times.
The turn is prohibited during a red signal.
The turn may be allowed when the signal turns green, unless another sign indicates otherwise.
✅ Stay alert through the entire turn. Watch both the first and second crosswalks.
✅ Most right turns are unprotected. This means you usually have the lowest priority.
Always yield to:
✅ Pedestrians Come First. Wait until the crosswalk is completely clear before proceeding.
☑️ Many rightmost lanes are shared by straight-through traffic and right-turn traffic.
If you are going straight, you may legally wait there.
Some drivers behind you may honk because they want to turn right.
You are not doing anything wrong.
☑️ Do not stay in the rightmost (curbside) lane for long distances.
In some areas, especially at night or on weekends, parked or stopped vehicles can often be seen even in no-parking zones.
This is partly due to limited parking space in many parts of Korea.
Public buses may also stop frequently in designated bus stops, sometimes blocking part of a lane during boarding and alighting.
Because of these conditions, drivers should always expect sudden stops or lane obstructions, especially in urban areas.
However, official traffic and parking regulations still apply, and enforcement can vary depending on location and time.
☑️ Some roads have very wide curbside lanes.
These lanes are designed to accommodate both straight-through traffic and right-turn traffic more efficiently.
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Last updated: May 2026
This is a reference guide, not legal advice. Korean laws and rental policies change — please verify critical details with official sources or your rental company. For language help, call 1330 (24/7, multilingual).