Colombia vs Pakistan: Essential Driving Differences
Understanding the nuances of road regulations is vital for travelers. In this comparison, we delve into the distinct driving customs of Colombia and Pakistan. Key variations include driving side preferences, speed limits, and the approach to alcohol consumption behind the wheel, all essential for ensuring a secure journey in these diverse landscapes.
Lanes
| Colombia | 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 | Yes | Yes, in major cities |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | 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 | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
colombia:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
colombia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Overtaking: On Left
colombia:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
colombia:
Use rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 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: 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: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
colombia:
30 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Colombia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | 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 | Spanish; 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
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
colombia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
colombia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Colombia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Colombia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | 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 | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used in urban areas |
| 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
colombia:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
colombia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Colombia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common; checkpoints used |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | 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
colombia:
123
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, 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 $150, points on license | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
colombia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay