Driving in Costa Rica vs. Pakistan: Key Differences Explained
Costa Rica and Pakistan present distinct driving landscapes that significantly affect road safety for travelers. Motorists in Costa Rica adhere to right-side navigation, while Pakistan drives on the left. Additionally, speed limits and overtaking rules vary remarkably, underscoring the importance of understanding these regional driving customs before hitting the road.
Lanes
| Costa rica | 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 | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | 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 | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
Driving Side
costa rica:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Overtaking: On Left
costa rica:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
costa rica:
Use rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
pakistan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Costa rica | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | 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 | Triangle-shaped with red border | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
costa rica:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Costa rica | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Costa rica | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof 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 |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | 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
costa rica:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
costa rica:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
costa rica:
0.05%
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
costa rica:
Can result in license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | 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
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay