Driving in Belgium vs. Pakistan: Key Differences Explained
When exploring road regulations in Belgium and Pakistan, notable contrasts emerge that impact traveler safety. From driving sides to speed limits, Belgium adheres to right-hand driving while Pakistan drives on the left. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Belgium | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Prohibited |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads. | 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 and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply. | 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
belgium:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
pakistan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
belgium:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
belgium:
Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
belgium:
Use rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
belgium:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
belgium:
Yes
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Exclusive for bicycles.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belgium:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
pakistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits.
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Belgium | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are mailed to the driver | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
belgium:
30-50 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belgium:
30 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
120 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
90 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
pakistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Belgium | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | 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 | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
belgium:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
belgium:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Belgium | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific signage permits | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Belgium | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; national driving license sufficient | 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 | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or 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
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belgium:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Belgium | 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
belgium:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
belgium:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
belgium:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Belgium | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
belgium:
0.05%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
belgium:
0.02%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
belgium:
0.00%; zero tolerance
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
belgium:
Can result in license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Emergency Services
| Belgium | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | 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
belgium:
112
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belgium:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Belgium | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine of around 50 EUR | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | 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
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
belgium:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay