Driving in Bolivia vs. Pakistan: Key Safety Differences
When comparing the roads of Bolivia and Pakistan, distinct variations in regulations and practices emerge. Key highlights include Bolivia's right-side driving versus Pakistan's left-side orientation, differing speed limits, and unique lane usage rules. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure and informed driving experience in either nation.
Lanes
| Bolivia | 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
bolivia:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bolivia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Overtaking: On Left
bolivia:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
bolivia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bolivia:
Use rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
Yes
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bolivia:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | 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 | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No, not commonly used | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued immediately | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bolivia:
30 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
pakistan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Bolivia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Not used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used in some rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
pakistan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bolivia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Bolivia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bolivia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the 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
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
bolivia:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
bolivia:
0.05%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bolivia:
Can result in license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | 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
bolivia:
911
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in 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 may apply, varies by location | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
bolivia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay