Driving in India vs. Pakistan: Key Safety Differences
When comparing the road regulations of India and Pakistan, intriguing distinctions emerge. From lane usage and speed limits to emergency contact numbers, both nations exhibit unique practices. Notably, Pakistan enforces stricter alcohol limits, while India provides a wider range of speed regulations. Understanding these nuances is essential for safe travel in either country.
Lanes
| India | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Prohibited |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, but only when safe. | Yes, allowed on open roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some metropolitan areas | Yes, in major cities |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
india:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Overtaking: On Left
india:
No
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Bus Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some areas
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
india:
Exclusive for bicycles.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
india:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
india:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| India | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-70 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major cities and highways | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly used | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
india:
40-50 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
india:
30 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
60-80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
india:
60-80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-70 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
80-120 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
india:
80-100 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
pakistan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
india:
Yes, commonly used
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| India | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in India | Not used |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | More common due to varied vehicle conditions | Used in some rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and local languages; 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
india:
Not used in India
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
india:
Triangular with red border
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| India | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
Left Turn: General
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
pakistan:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| India | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | PUC sticker displayed on windshield | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| India | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to other countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
pakistan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| India | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; fines can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
india:
0.03%
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Roundabouts
| India | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
pakistan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
pakistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| India | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
india:
112
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| India | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
india:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay