Libya vs Pakistan: Essential Driving Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Libya and Pakistan, travelers must be aware of significant variances in traffic regulations and practices. Key distinctions include driving sides—right in Libya and left in Pakistan—as well as unique speed limits and lane usage rules. Understanding these disparities is essential for ensuring a smooth and secure driving experience in both nations.
Lanes
| Libya | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the separation between directions on some roads. | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Prohibited |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except 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 | Not commonly designated. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Not commonly designated. | Primarily in some urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols on road. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Generally not used. | N/A |
Driving Side
libya:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
libya:
Marks the separation between directions on some roads.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
libya:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
pakistan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
libya:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
libya:
Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
libya:
Use rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
libya:
No
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
libya:
Not commonly designated.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
libya:
N/A
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
libya:
No
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
libya:
Not commonly designated.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
libya:
N/A
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
libya:
Not applicable
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
libya:
Generally not used.
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Libya | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 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 | 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: Indications | Generally not used. | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
libya:
50 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
libya:
90 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
libya:
80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
libya:
70 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
libya:
100 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
libya:
90 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
libya:
80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
libya:
Generally not used.
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
libya:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Libya | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Libya | 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 | Arabic | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
libya:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
pakistan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
libya:
Not used in Libya
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
libya:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
libya:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
libya:
Arabic
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
libya:
Triangle-shaped with red border
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Libya | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless specified | 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
libya:
Generally not allowed unless specified
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
libya:
Varies by locality; check for signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Libya | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required for registration and periodically thereafter | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
libya:
International Driving Permit required
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
libya:
International Driving Permit recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
libya:
Required for registration and periodically thereafter
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
libya:
Displayed on windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
libya:
Recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
libya:
Recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Libya | 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
libya:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
libya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
libya:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Libya | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Possible; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Enforcement: Random Checks
libya:
Possible; checkpoints used in some areas
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Test Refusal
libya:
Can result in license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Emergency Services
| Libya | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 193 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by area | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 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
libya:
193
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
libya:
Varies by area
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
libya:
Check with your insurance provider
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
libya:
Recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
libya:
Recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Libya | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on severity | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines may apply | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required within 30 days | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
libya:
Varies; fines based on severity
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
libya:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
libya:
Fines may apply
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
libya:
Fines may apply
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
libya:
Fines may apply
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
libya:
Possible
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
libya:
Varies; typically required within 30 days
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay