Driving in Estonia vs Pakistan: Key Safety Differences
When planning a trip, understanding the unique road regulations between Estonia and Pakistan is crucial for ensuring a smooth journey. Both nations exhibit distinct driving customs, from lane usage and speed limits to emergency protocols. Notably, Estonia drives on the right, while Pakistan adheres to the left, showcasing the essential contrasts in their traffic systems.
Lanes
| Estonia | 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 | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
estonia:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
estonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Overtaking: On Left
estonia:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
estonia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
estonia:
Use rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
estonia:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
estonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
estonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
estonia:
Yes
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
estonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
estonia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
estonia:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
estonia:
Yes
pakistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Estonia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
estonia:
50 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
estonia:
30 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
90 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
estonia:
90 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80-90 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
estonia:
Yes
pakistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
estonia:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Estonia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Estonia | 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 | Estonian; symbols are standard | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
estonia:
Yellow
pakistan:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
estonia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
estonia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
estonia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Estonia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Estonia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year; proof must be carried | 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 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
estonia:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Estonia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to 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
estonia:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
estonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
estonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Estonia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
estonia:
0.02%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
estonia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
pakistan:
0.00%
Test Refusal
estonia:
Can result in license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Emergency Services
| Estonia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 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 | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
estonia:
112
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
estonia:
112
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
estonia:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Estonia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines apply | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
estonia:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay