Driving in Albania vs. Pakistan: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Albania and Pakistan, understanding local regulations is essential for a safe journey. Notably, Albania drives on the right while Pakistan follows the left. Additionally, speed limits and lane usage differ significantly, emphasizing the importance of familiarizing oneself with each nation's unique road customs as you travel abroad.
Lanes
| Albania | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. |
| 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 | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Primarily in some urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols on road. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
albania:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
albania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Overtaking: On Left
albania:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
albania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
albania:
Use rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
albania:
No
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
albania:
N/A
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
albania:
N/A
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
albania:
Yes
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
albania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
albania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
albania:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Albania | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be paid at the scene. | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
albania:
40 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
albania:
30 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
albania:
70 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
70 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
110 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
albania:
90 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
90 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
albania:
Yes; fines can be paid at the scene.
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Albania | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Albania | 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 | Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
albania:
Not used in Albania
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
albania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
albania:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
albania:
Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
albania:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Albania | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
albania:
Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
albania:
Varies by locality; check for signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Albania | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
albania:
Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
albania:
Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
albania:
Mandatory; proof required
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
albania:
Displayed on windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
albania:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
albania:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Albania | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
albania:
To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake
pakistan:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Limited
albania:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
albania:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
albania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Albania | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for violations | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
albania:
0.01%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
albania:
0.00%; zero tolerance
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
albania:
Common, especially during holidays
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
albania:
Substantial fines for violations
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
albania:
Can result in license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Emergency Services
| Albania | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 129 | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
albania:
112
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
albania:
129
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
albania:
Check with your insurance provider
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
albania:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
albania:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Albania | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines over 1,000 ALL | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; potential fines and penalties | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines over 5,000 ALL | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
albania:
Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
albania:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
albania:
Fines over 1,000 ALL
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
albania:
Varies; potential fines and penalties
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
albania:
Fines over 5,000 ALL
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
albania:
Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
albania:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay