Driving in Japan vs. Pakistan: Key Safety Differences
Explore the distinct driving practices between Japan and Pakistan, where unique regulations shape road experiences. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance, impacting traveler safety. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey while navigating through these culturally rich nations.
Lanes
| Japan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Prohibited |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, overtaking is done on the right. | Yes, allowed on open roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. | Primarily in some urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Overtaking: On Left
japan:
No
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Bus Lanes: Presence
japan:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
japan:
Yes
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
japan:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
pakistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Japan | 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 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 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
japan:
40-50 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
japan:
30 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
60 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
japan:
60 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
60 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
80-100 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
japan:
80-100 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
pakistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Japan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Japan | 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 | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
japan:
Not used in Japan
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
japan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
japan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
japan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Japan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | 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
japan:
Not allowed
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Japan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required along with national license | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required along with national license | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
japan:
Displayed on license plate
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Japan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Generally used sparingly | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Flashing Lights: Usage
japan:
To warn of hazards
pakistan:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Limited
japan:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
japan:
Generally used sparingly
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Japan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Prohibited; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints may be set up | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
japan:
0.03%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
japan:
Can result in license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Emergency Services
| Japan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or JAF | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
japan:
119
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
japan:
110
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
japan:
Recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Japan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, points on license | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines, possible jail time | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines; enforceable | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Severe fines, points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines, points on license | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid later | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
japan:
Fines; enforceable
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
japan:
Fines, points on license
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay