Driving in Egypt vs. Pakistan: Key Differences to Know
When navigating the roads of Egypt and Pakistan, understanding their distinct regulations and practices is crucial for a safe journey. This comparison highlights key contrasts such as driving sides, overtaking rules, and vehicle speed limits. With varying practices in road etiquette and alcohol limits, drivers must stay informed to ensure their safety while traveling abroad.
Lanes
| Egypt | 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 | Limited | Yes, in major cities |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically used by buses and minibuses. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not consistently marked. | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles. | Primarily in some urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often unmarked. | Bicycle symbols on road. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
egypt:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
egypt:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Overtaking: On Left
egypt:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
egypt:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
egypt:
Use rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Typically used by buses and minibuses.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Not consistently marked.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Often unmarked.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
egypt:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits.
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Egypt | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 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 | Fixed speed limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
70-90 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
90-120 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
egypt:
90-100 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
80-90 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Egypt | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Egypt | Not used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used to communicate with other drivers | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines can occur for excessive misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To signal other drivers or warn of presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not officially regulated | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Used in some situations due to high traffic density | Used in some rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; symbols are standard | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with a red border and white background | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
egypt:
Not used in Egypt
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Allowed
egypt:
Commonly used to communicate with other drivers
pakistan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
egypt:
Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
egypt:
Fines can occur for excessive misuse
pakistan:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
egypt:
To signal other drivers or warn of presence
pakistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
egypt:
Not officially regulated
pakistan:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
egypt:
Used in some situations due to high traffic density
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
egypt:
Arabic; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
egypt:
Triangles with a red border and white background
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Egypt | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
egypt:
Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
egypt:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Egypt | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Egyptian driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Provided after passing inspection | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
egypt:
Valid Egyptian driver's license required
pakistan:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
egypt:
International Driving Permit recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
egypt:
International Driving Permit required
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
egypt:
Mandatory annual inspection
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
egypt:
Provided after passing inspection
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
egypt:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Egypt | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Common in high traffic areas | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, though not always observed | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and allow passage | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
egypt:
Common in high traffic areas
pakistan:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
egypt:
Common practice, though not always observed
pakistan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
egypt:
Commonly used
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
egypt:
Give way and allow passage
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Egypt | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted frequently | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in penalties and license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
egypt:
0.05%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
egypt:
0.02%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
egypt:
0.00%; zero tolerance
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
egypt:
Conducted frequently
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
egypt:
Can be substantial
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
egypt:
Can result in penalties and license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Emergency Services
| Egypt | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | 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
egypt:
122
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
egypt:
122
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
egypt:
Check with your insurance provider
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
egypt:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
egypt:
Not mandatory, but recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Egypt | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for non-compliance | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and points on license | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
egypt:
Varies; fines can be significant
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
egypt:
Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
egypt:
Significant fines and points on license
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
egypt:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay