Driving in Cuba vs. Pakistan: Key Differences Uncovered
Cuba and Pakistan present distinct driving landscapes, each with unique regulations and cultural practices. Key contrasts include driving sides, speed limits, and overtaking rules, which can significantly impact road safety. Understanding these variations is essential for travelers to navigate these countries securely and confidently while on the road.
Lanes
| Cuba | 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 | Not typical; follow local rules and signs. | Yes, allowed on open roads. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use the 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 | Rare | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles may share the road with motor vehicles. | Primarily in some urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Road signs or painted indicators where applicable. | Bicycle symbols on road. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
cuba:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cuba:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Overtaking: On Left
cuba:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
cuba:
Not typical; follow local rules and signs.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
cuba:
List length: 4
pakistan:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cuba:
Use the rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cuba:
No
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
cuba:
N/A
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cuba:
N/A
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cuba:
Rare
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cuba:
Bicycles may share the road with motor vehicles.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cuba:
Road signs or painted indicators where applicable.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cuba:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cuba:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Cuba | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 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 | 50-70 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 | Rare | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; enforced by traffic police | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
cuba:
40-50 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cuba:
30-40 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cuba:
60-80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cuba:
60-80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cuba:
50-70 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cuba:
90-100 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cuba:
90-100 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cuba:
80-90 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cuba:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
cuba:
Rare
pakistan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cuba:
Common; enforced by traffic police
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Cuba | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cuba | 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 | Triangular with red border | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cuba:
Not used in Cuba
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
cuba:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
cuba:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
cuba:
Spanish; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cuba:
Triangular with red border
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Cuba | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area, check for local signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
cuba:
Not allowed
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
cuba:
Varies by area, check for local signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Cuba | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cuba:
Annual inspection required
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cuba:
Displayed on windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cuba:
Not mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Cuba | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in 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
cuba:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cuba:
More frequent use than in some countries
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cuba:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cuba | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
cuba:
0.05%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
cuba:
0.02%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cuba:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cuba:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Test Refusal
cuba:
Can result in license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Emergency Services
| Cuba | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 106 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 106 | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider; national lines may apply | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
cuba:
106
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
cuba:
106
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cuba:
Varies by provider; national lines may apply
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cuba:
Not mandatory, but recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Cuba | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually paid directly to officers | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cuba:
Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
cuba:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
cuba:
Common; usually paid directly to officers
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
cuba:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay