Driving Differences: New Zealand vs. Pakistan
When traveling abroad, understanding the nuances of vehicle operation is crucial for ensuring safe journeys. This comparison between New Zealand and Pakistan reveals significant distinctions in road rules, speed regulations, and etiquette. From lane usage to alcohol limits, being aware of these disparities can greatly enhance the driving experience and promote safety on the roads.
Lanes
| New zealand | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right 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 right. | Yes, allowed on open roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during certain hours. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Primarily in some urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and green pavement. | Bicycle symbols on road. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Overtaking: On Left
new zealand:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Bus Lanes: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
new zealand:
Not applicable
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
pakistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| New zealand | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
new zealand:
50 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
new zealand:
50 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
pakistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| New zealand | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in New Zealand | Not used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| 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 | English; symbols are standard | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
pakistan:
Not used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
pakistan:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
new zealand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
new zealand:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| New zealand | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
new zealand:
Not allowed
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| New zealand | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Regular inspection required; proof may be required | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
new zealand:
Not mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| New zealand | 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 |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
new zealand:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
pakistan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| New zealand | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, can vary widely | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and other penalties | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
new zealand:
0.05%
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Roundabouts
| New zealand | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
pakistan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| New zealand | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 111 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 111 | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
new zealand:
111
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
new zealand:
111
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| New zealand | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $30 to $630, 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 | $150, points may also apply | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $150, points on license | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 28 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
new zealand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
new zealand:
$150, points on license
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay