Driving in Myanmar vs. Pakistan: Key Safety Tips
When exploring the roads of Myanmar and Pakistan, significant variations in traffic regulations and driving practices emerge. From lane usage to speed limits and alcohol restrictions, these discrepancies can impact your travel experience. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring safety and compliance while navigating the diverse landscapes of both countries.
Lanes
| Myanmar | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge on divided roads. | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No, overtaking is on the right. | Prohibited |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed as this is the side of overtaking. | Yes, allowed on open roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage. | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles. | 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
myanmar:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
myanmar:
Marks the edge on divided roads.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Overtaking: On Left
myanmar:
No, overtaking is on the right.
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
myanmar:
Allowed as this is the side of overtaking.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Bus Lanes: Presence
myanmar:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
myanmar:
Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
myanmar:
Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
myanmar:
No
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
myanmar:
Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
myanmar:
N/A
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
myanmar:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
myanmar:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Myanmar | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| 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 | 60 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 70 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
myanmar:
30-40 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
myanmar:
30 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
myanmar:
80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
myanmar:
60 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
myanmar:
50 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
myanmar:
100 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
myanmar:
80 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
myanmar:
70 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
myanmar:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
myanmar:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Myanmar | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Myanmar | 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 | Burmese; symbols are standard | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
myanmar:
Not used in Myanmar
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
myanmar:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
myanmar:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
myanmar:
Burmese; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
myanmar:
Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Myanmar | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless permitted by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless permitted by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by a sign
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Myanmar | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
myanmar:
Yes, periodic inspection required
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
myanmar:
Displayed on the windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
myanmar:
Recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
myanmar:
Recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Myanmar | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use, more common in cities | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
myanmar:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
myanmar:
Moderate use, more common in cities
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
myanmar:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Myanmar | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.07% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; often during festivals | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can lead to arrest and fines | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
myanmar:
0.07%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
myanmar:
0.03%
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
myanmar:
Less common; often during festivals
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
myanmar:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
myanmar:
Can lead to arrest and fines
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Emergency Services
| Myanmar | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 199 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available through some insurance providers | 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
myanmar:
199
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
myanmar:
Contact local police
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
myanmar:
Available through some insurance providers
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
myanmar:
Recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
myanmar:
Recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Myanmar | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; small fines for minor overshoots | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine enforced; mandatory use | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for usage while driving | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applied for violations | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; else must be paid at office | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
myanmar:
Varies; small fines for minor overshoots
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
myanmar:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
myanmar:
Fine enforced; mandatory use
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
myanmar:
Fines for usage while driving
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
myanmar:
Fines applied for violations
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
myanmar:
Possible; else must be paid at office
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
myanmar:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay