Driving Differences: Nepal vs Pakistan Safety Tips
When traversing the roads of Nepal and Pakistan, it's crucial to understand their distinct traffic regulations and practices. While Nepal emphasizes cautious overtaking with lower speed limits, Pakistan allows higher speeds and has designated bus lanes. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can significantly enhance your travel experience and ensure your well-being on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Nepal | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Prohibited |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, with caution. | Yes, allowed on open roads. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Keep left. | 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
nepal:
Marks the edge of the road.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Overtaking: On Left
nepal:
No
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
nepal:
Yes, with caution.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
nepal:
Keep left.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
nepal:
No
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
nepal:
N/A
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
nepal:
N/A
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
nepal:
No
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
nepal:
N/A
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
nepal:
N/A
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
nepal:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nepal:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Nepal | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
nepal:
20-40 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
nepal:
20-30 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
nepal:
50-80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
nepal:
40-60 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
nepal:
40-60 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
nepal:
80 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
nepal:
60 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
nepal:
60 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nepal:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
nepal:
No
pakistan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
nepal:
Yes, common practice
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Nepal | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Nepal | 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 | Nepali and English | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
nepal:
Yellow
pakistan:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
nepal:
Not used in Nepal
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
nepal:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
nepal:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
nepal:
Nepali and English
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
nepal:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Nepal | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | 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
nepal:
Not allowed
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
nepal:
Varies by locality; check for signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Nepal | 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 required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof 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
nepal:
International Driving Permit required
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
nepal:
International Driving Permit required
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
nepal:
Mandatory; proof required
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
nepal:
Displayed on windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
nepal:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Nepal | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Limited
nepal:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Alcohol
| Nepal | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Not applicable as underage driving is illegal | 0.00% |
| 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
nepal:
0.05%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
nepal:
Not applicable as underage driving is illegal
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Fines
nepal:
Can be substantial
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
nepal:
Can result in license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Roundabouts
| Nepal | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Exiting
nepal:
Signal left when preparing to exit
pakistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
nepal:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
pakistan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Nepal | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
nepal:
100
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
nepal:
100
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
nepal:
Check with your insurance provider
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
nepal:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nepal:
Not mandatory, but recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Nepal | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; NPR 2,000 to NPR 5,000 | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | NPR 500 to NPR 1,000 | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | NPR 1,000 to NPR 5,000 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | NPR 1,000 to NPR 2,000 | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, common practice | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
nepal:
Varies; NPR 2,000 to NPR 5,000
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
nepal:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
nepal:
NPR 500 to NPR 1,000
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
nepal:
NPR 1,000 to NPR 5,000
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
nepal:
NPR 1,000 to NPR 2,000
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
nepal:
Yes, common practice
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
nepal:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay