Driving in Mexico vs. Pakistan: Key Differences to Know
When navigating the roads in Mexico and Pakistan, understanding the distinct rules of the road is essential for ensuring a secure journey. From driving sides and lane usage to speed limits and traffic signals, notable contrasts exist. This comparison highlights crucial variations, empowering travelers to drive safely and confidently in each nation.
Lanes
| Mexico | 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 | 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; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. | Primarily in some urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols on road. |
Driving Side
mexico:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
mexico:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Overtaking: On Left
mexico:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
mexico:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
mexico:
Use rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
mexico:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
mexico:
Yes
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
Speeds Limits
| Mexico | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
mexico:
30 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
70-80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80-100 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Mexico | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mexico | 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 | Spanish; symbols are standard | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red border | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
mexico:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
mexico:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Mexico | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Mexico | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Mexico | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate 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
mexico:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
mexico:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Mexico | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
mexico:
0.08%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
mexico:
0.04%
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
mexico:
Can be substantial
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
mexico:
Can result in license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Emergency Services
| Mexico | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 066 or 911 | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
mexico:
911
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
mexico:
066 or 911
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Mexico | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, up to $50, points in some states | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; can lead to significant fines | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; system improvements for online payments | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
mexico:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay