Driving Differences: Iceland vs Pakistan Explained
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and safety protocols between Iceland and Pakistan. From the distinct driving sides—right in Iceland and left in Pakistan—to varying speed limits and traffic sign conventions, understanding these nuances is vital for safe travels. Discover how these elements shape the driving experience in each unique country.
Lanes
| Iceland | 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. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. | 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
iceland:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
iceland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Overtaking: On Left
iceland:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
pakistan:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
iceland:
Use rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
iceland:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | 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 on gravel roads | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h on paved roads | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h on paved roads | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 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: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
iceland:
50 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
iceland:
30 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
iceland:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Iceland | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | N/A | Used in some rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Icelandic; symbols are standard | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
pakistan:
Not used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
pakistan:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
iceland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
pakistan:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Iceland | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Iceland | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | 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 |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Iceland | 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
iceland:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
iceland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Iceland | 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 | Common | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
iceland:
0.05%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
pakistan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
pakistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
iceland:
112
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
iceland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay