Driving Differences: Italy vs Pakistan for Safe Travel
Driving in Italy and Pakistan reveals striking contrasts that every traveler should be aware of. From lane usage to speed limits and traffic regulations, these two nations exhibit unique road behaviors. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey while navigating their diverse landscapes.
Lanes
| Italy | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| 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
italy:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
pakistan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
italy:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
italy:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
italy:
Use rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
italy:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
italy:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
italy:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
italy:
Yes
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
italy:
Exclusive for bicycles.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
italy:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
italy:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
italy:
Yes
pakistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits.
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Italy | 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 | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 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 | 80 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
italy:
50 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
italy:
30 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
90 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
italy:
80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
70 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
130 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
italy:
100 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
italy:
Yes
pakistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Italy | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used; prepare to go when green appears | 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 | Italian; symbols are standard | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
italy:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
italy:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Italy | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Italy | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
italy:
Displayed on license plate
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
italy:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Italy | 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
italy:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
italy:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
italy:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Italy | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
italy:
0.05%
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
italy:
Substantial
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
italy:
Can result in license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Emergency Services
| Italy | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 (State Police) | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 116 (ACI) | 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
italy:
112
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
italy:
113 (State Police)
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
italy:
116 (ACI)
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
italy:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Italy | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; fines apply | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, strict enforcement | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, may include points on license | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible, especially for foreign drivers | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
italy:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
italy:
Varies; fines apply
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay