Driving in Latvia vs. Pakistan: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roadways of Latvia and Pakistan, drivers encounter distinct norms and regulations. While Latvia adheres to right-side driving, Pakistan operates on the left. Speed limits, lane usage, and road etiquette also vary significantly, underscoring the importance of understanding these contrasts for a safe and informed journey abroad.
Lanes
| Latvia | 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 | Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear. | 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
latvia:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
latvia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Overtaking: On Left
latvia:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
latvia:
Use rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
latvia:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
latvia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
latvia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
latvia:
Yes
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
latvia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
latvia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
latvia:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
latvia:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Latvia | 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 | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines are often issued immediately | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
latvia:
50 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
latvia:
30 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
latvia:
90 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
latvia:
80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
latvia:
80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
latvia:
100 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
latvia:
90 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
latvia:
80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
latvia:
Yes
pakistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
latvia:
Electronic signs display current limits
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Latvia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Latvia | 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 |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used in some rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Latvian; symbols are standard | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
pakistan:
Not used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
latvia:
Signal when entering and exiting
pakistan:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
latvia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
latvia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Latvia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
latvia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Latvia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
latvia:
Displayed on windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
latvia:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
latvia:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Latvia | 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 |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| 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
latvia:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
latvia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
pakistan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
latvia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Latvia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially on weekends | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies based on BAC | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
latvia:
0.05%
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
latvia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Emergency Services
| Latvia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 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
latvia:
112
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
latvia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
latvia:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
latvia:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Latvia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €20 to €300, points on license | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €20 to €40, fines vary | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €10 to €30, fines vary | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €30 to €70, points on license | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be settled at the time | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay