Driving Differences: Afghanistan vs India for Safe Travel
Embarking on a journey through Afghanistan or India? Understanding the distinct driving norms and regulations in these countries is essential for a safe experience. Key contrasts include driving on opposite sides of the road, varying speed limits in urban and rural areas, and unique traffic signal practices. Stay informed to navigate effectively and securely!
Lanes
| Afghanistan | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, but only when safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some metropolitan areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
afghanistan:
Right
india:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
india:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
india:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
afghanistan:
Yes
india:
No
Overtaking: On Right
afghanistan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
afghanistan:
Use rightmost lane.
india:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
india:
Yes, in some areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
india:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
india:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
india:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
india:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 60-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, in major cities and highways |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
india:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
india:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
india:
60-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
india:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
india:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
india:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
afghanistan:
Yes
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
india:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Afghanistan | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in India |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common due to varied vehicle conditions |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | English and local languages; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
india:
Not used in India
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
afghanistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
afghanistan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
india:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Afghanistan | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
Left Turn: General
afghanistan:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Afghanistan | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | PUC sticker displayed on windshield |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
afghanistan:
Displayed on windshield
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to other countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass |
Use Of Horn: Limited
afghanistan:
Only in emergency situations
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
Pedestrians Priority
afghanistan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
afghanistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Varies by state; fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
india:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
afghanistan:
Can result in license suspension
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Afghanistan | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
afghanistan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
afghanistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations |
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
india:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay