Driving Differences: Bhutan vs. Pakistan Safety Tips
When navigating the roads of Bhutan and Pakistan, understanding the unique regulations and customs is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance, with Bhutan allowing higher limits for general drivers compared to Pakistan's strict zero-tolerance policy. Familiarizing yourself with these driving variations can enhance your travel experience and promote safety abroad.
Lanes
| Bhutan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Prohibited |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Yes, allowed on open roads. |
| 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
pakistan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Bhutan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | 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 | English; symbols are standard | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bhutan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bhutan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Bhutan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
bhutan:
Not allowed
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bhutan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Limited
bhutan:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bhutan:
Can result in license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay