(Stripes Korea)
In Korea, you should avoid using bus-only lanes during designated times since CCTV cameras and traffic police are actively monitoring. These lanes are marked with blue lines and labeled with “버스전용 (Bus Only)” in Korean. Violating these regulations can lead to fines and penalty points, so understanding the rules and following them is key to staying out of trouble. Here is all you need to know about bus-only lane rules in Korea.
Types of bus-only lanes (blue color)
Dotted line: Allows general vehicles to enter temporarily such as for right turns or entering side streets.
Single line: Time restriction, applicable from 7 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. only on weekdays
Double line: All-day restriction, applicable from 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. only on weekdays
(Dotted line)
(Single line)
(Double line)
Bus only lanes on city roads
Only large buses or vehicles with 36 or more seats can use these lanes.
(Median lanes)
(Side lanes)
Median lanes: Located on the central line, these lanes operate 24/7 and general vehicles are strictly prohibited from entering. Also, next to the median lanes, there may be an additional blue dotted line or single line.
Side lanes: Located at the edge of roads near sidewalks, they operate on time restrictions (blue single line) or all-day restrictions (blue double line).
Bus-only lanes on highways
Located on some sections of Gyeongbu Expressway, the 1st lane marked in blue is designated as a bus-only lane.
(Highway lane rule)
(Highway lane rule-with bus only lane)
Time: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Every day except Seollal and Chuseok) / 7 a.m. – 1 a.m. (During Seollal and Chuseok)
Eligible vehicles: Cars with 9 or more passengers and van with 6 or more passengers.
Highway lane rules
1st lane – Fast lane
2nd lane – Regular cars, small and medium-sized vans
3rd lane – Large vans, 1.5-ton trucks
4th lane – Trucks over 1.5 tons, special vehicles
Note: On highways with bus-only lanes, the 1st lane becomes a bus-only lane, the 2nd lane is the fast lane, 3rd lane is for regular cars and 4th lane is for large vehicles.
Penalties for violating the rules
Fines (When caught by CCTV)
Regular roads: Car 50,000 won / Van 60,000 won
Highways: Car 90,000 won / Van 100,000 won
Fines (When caught by police)
Regular roads: Car 40,000 won / Van 50,000 won + 10 penalty points
Highways: Car 60,000 won / Van 70,000 won Private car + 30 penalty points
