Driving in Lebanon vs. Pakistan: Key Differences to Know
When navigating the roads of Lebanon and Pakistan, drivers encounter notable contrasts that can impact their journey. While Lebanon favors right-side driving, Pakistan adheres to the left. Speed limits also vary, with Pakistan generally permitting higher speeds. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure and smooth driving experience in both nations.
Lanes
| Lebanon | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as a separation line in some areas. | 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 | No | Yes, in major cities |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Primarily in some urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols on road. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
lebanon:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
pakistan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
lebanon:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
lebanon:
Use rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lebanon:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Lebanon | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-80 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lebanon:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Lebanon | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Lebanon | Not used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used in some rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; 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
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
pakistan:
Not used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
pakistan:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
lebanon:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Lebanon | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
Right Turn On Red
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
Documentation
| Lebanon | 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 required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual 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 |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lebanon:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Lebanon | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
lebanon:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Lebanon | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common through checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for violations | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
lebanon:
Can result in license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Roundabouts
| Lebanon | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when preparing to enter | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
pakistan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Lebanon | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies; consult your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
lebanon:
112
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
lebanon:
112
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lebanon:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Lebanon | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may lead to substantial fines | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Fines and potential incarceration | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory for all passengers | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; often paid at stations | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lebanon:
Substantial fines
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay