Driving Differences: Brazil vs Pakistan Safety Insights
When navigating the roads of Brazil and Pakistan, drivers face distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. Key contrasts include driving sides—right in Brazil and left in Pakistan—as well as varying speed limits and lane usage rules. Understanding these nuances is vital for ensuring a secure journey in both nations.
Lanes
| Brazil | 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 | No | Prohibited |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | 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 exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
brazil:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brazil:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
brazil:
Use rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brazil:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brazil:
Yes
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Exclusive for bicycles.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brazil:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brazil:
30 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brazil:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Brazil | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | 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 | Portuguese; 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
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
brazil:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
brazil:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Brazil | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
brazil:
Not allowed
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Brazil | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year for passenger vehicles | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brazil:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brazil | 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
brazil:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brazil:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brazil:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Brazil | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, especially at night | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brazil:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay