Driving Differences: China vs. Pakistan
When comparing road regulations between China and Pakistan, distinct traffic practices emerge that can significantly impact safety for travelers. Notably, China drives on the right side, while Pakistan adheres to the left. Speed limits vary in urban and rural areas, underlining the importance of understanding local rules to ensure a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| China | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Prohibited |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Yes, allowed on open roads. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Railroad crossings | Pedestrian crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane if possible. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Primarily in some urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | Bicycle symbols on road. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
china:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
pakistan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
china:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
pakistan:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
pakistan:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
pakistan:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
pakistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 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 | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
pakistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| China | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used in some rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
china:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| China | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| China | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Chinese driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required for short visits | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
pakistan:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| 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
china:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Roundabouts
| China | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight |
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
pakistan:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| China | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, 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 | ¥50 to ¥200 | 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 | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | 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
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay