Driving in Austria vs. Pakistan: Key Differences Explained
Discover the unique road regulations and practices that shape the driving experience in Austria and Pakistan. While Austria emphasizes right-side driving with strict lane usage, Pakistan adopts a left-side approach with diverse speed limits. Understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring a safe journey abroad and adapting to local traffic customs.
Lanes
| Austria | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Prohibited |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Yes, allowed on open roads. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
austria:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
pakistan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
austria:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
austria:
Use rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
austria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
austria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
pakistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
austria:
50 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
austria:
30 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
austria:
100 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
pakistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Austria | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| 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 | German; symbols are standard | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
pakistan:
Not used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
pakistan:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
austria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
austria:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Austria | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Austria | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | 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
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Austria | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Use Of Horn: Limited
austria:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
austria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
austria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Austria | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
austria:
0.05%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
austria:
Can result in license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Emergency Services
| Austria | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | 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
austria:
112
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
austria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay