Driving in Finland vs. Pakistan: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Finland and Pakistan, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence their experience. Key disparities include the side of the road on which vehicles operate, speed limits, and lane usage. Understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a secure and compliant journey in either country.
Lanes
| Finland | 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
finland:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
finland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Overtaking: On Left
finland:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
finland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
finland:
Use rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
finland:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
finland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
finland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
finland:
Yes
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
finland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
finland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
finland:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
finland:
Yes
pakistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Finland | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-110 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
finland:
50 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
finland:
30-40 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
finland:
80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
finland:
100 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
finland:
Yes
pakistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
finland:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Finland | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | 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 | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a yellow background | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
finland:
Not commonly used
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
finland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
finland:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Finland | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
finland:
Not generally allowed
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
finland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Finland | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory for certain situations | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
finland:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Finland | 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
finland:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
finland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
finland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Finland | 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: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
finland:
0.05%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
finland:
0.02%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
finland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Fines
finland:
Can be substantial
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
finland:
Results in license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Emergency Services
| Finland | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact through 112 | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory, recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory, recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
finland:
112
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
finland:
Contact through 112
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Finland | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on income | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, typically €85 | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, typically €100 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; usually drive must pay later | 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
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
finland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
finland:
Fines apply
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
finland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay