Driving in India vs. United Kingdom: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the unique practices of road travel in India and the United Kingdom, significant variations emerge. From lane markings and speed limits to signaling at roundabouts, each country presents distinct rules that impact overall safety. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure and smooth journey abroad.
Lanes
| India | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, but only when safe. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some metropolitan areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid White Line
india:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
india:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
india:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
india:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Left
india:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
india:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Bus Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
united kingdom:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some areas
united kingdom:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
india:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
india:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
india:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
india:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| India | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-70 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major cities and highways | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly used | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
india:
40-50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
india:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
60-80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
india:
60-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-70 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
80-120 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
india:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
india:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
india:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
united kingdom:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
india:
Yes, commonly used
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| India | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in India | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | More common due to varied vehicle conditions | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and local languages; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
india:
Not used in India
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
india:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united kingdom:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
united kingdom:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
india:
Triangular with red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| India | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
india:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| India | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | PUC sticker displayed on windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Road Etiquette
| India | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to other countries | Less 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 side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
united kingdom:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
united kingdom:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| India | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; fines can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
india:
0.03%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
india:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
india:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Test Refusal
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
united kingdom:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| India | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Signaling: Exiting
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
united kingdom:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
india:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| India | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
Contact: General Emergency
india:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Penalties And Fines
| India | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay