Driving in France vs. Pakistan: Uncover the Key Differences
When exploring the roads of France and Pakistan, understanding their distinct traffic regulations is essential for a safe journey. Notable contrasts include driving on the right in France versus the left in Pakistan, varied speed limits, and diverging rules for overtaking. Familiarizing yourself with these unique roadway practices ensures a smoother experience abroad.
Lanes
| France | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Prohibited |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | 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, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; 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
france:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
pakistan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
france:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
france:
Use rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
france:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
france:
Yes
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
france:
Exclusive for bicycles.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
france:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
france:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
pakistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| France | 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 | 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: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 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 | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
france:
50 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
france:
30 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
france:
80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
france:
80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
130 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
france:
100 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
france:
90 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
pakistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| France | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in France | Not used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; 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 | French; 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
france:
Not used in France
pakistan:
Not used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
pakistan:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
france:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| France | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
france:
Not allowed
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| France | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Not mandatory but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
france:
Displayed on windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| France | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
france:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| France | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
france:
0.05%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
france:
0.02%
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
france:
Can result in license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Roundabouts
| France | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
pakistan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| France | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | 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
france:
112
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| France | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay