Driving Differences: Dominican Republic vs. Pakistan
When exploring the roadways of the Dominican Republic and Pakistan, distinct driving practices and regulations emerge. Notably, the Dominican Republic drives on the right, while Pakistan adheres to left-side navigation. Speed limits, lane usage, and traffic enforcement vary significantly, underscoring the importance of understanding these disparities for a safer journey abroad..
Lanes
| Dominican republic | 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, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo | Yes, in major cities |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas. | Primarily in some urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often not marked. | Bicycle symbols on road. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
dominican republic:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
dominican republic:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Overtaking: On Left
dominican republic:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
dominican republic:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
dominican republic:
Use rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
dominican republic:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Dominican republic | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No; speed checks are done by police radar | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible for traffic infractions | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
dominican republic:
40 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
dominican republic:
25 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
70 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
70 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
100 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
90 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
pakistan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Dominican republic | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Dominican Republic | Not used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used in many situations | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| 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
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Allowed
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
pakistan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
dominican republic:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
dominican republic:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
dominican republic:
Spanish; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
dominican republic:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Dominican republic | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Dominican republic | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Dominican republic | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used more frequently than in some countries | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | 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
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
dominican republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Dominican republic | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in arrest and license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
dominican republic:
0.05%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Emergency Services
| Dominican republic | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or designated local numbers | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required and recommended as a safety measure | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
dominican republic:
911
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Dominican republic | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines for non-compliance with signals | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for common violations | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
dominican republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay