Driving in Afghanistan vs. Pakistan: Key Safety Differences
Discover the unique driving landscapes of Afghanistan and Pakistan as we explore their notable contrasts. From the sides of the road, vehicle overtaking rules, to speed limits and traffic regulations, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring safe travels. Prepare for your journey by familiarizing yourself with these essential driving guidelines.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Prohibited |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, allowed on open roads. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in major cities |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Primarily in some urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols on road. |
Driving Side
afghanistan:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
pakistan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
afghanistan:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
afghanistan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
afghanistan:
Use rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Afghanistan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used in some rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
afghanistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
afghanistan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Afghanistan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
afghanistan:
Displayed on windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
afghanistan:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
afghanistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
afghanistan:
Can result in license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
afghanistan:
112
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay