Driving in Norway vs. Pakistan: Key Safety Differences
Driving in Norway and Pakistan presents distinct contrasts that impact road safety and navigation. From lane usage to speed limits and regulations, understanding these variances is crucial for motorists. For instance, while Norway mandates right-side driving and has strict overtaking rules, Pakistan operates on the left and allows passing on open roads. This comparison highlights essential insights for travelers.
Lanes
| Norway | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not standard in Norway. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Prohibited |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. | 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 and sometimes taxis. | 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 colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols on road. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
norway:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
pakistan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
norway:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
norway:
Use rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
norway:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
norway:
Yes
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
norway:
Exclusive for bicycles.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
norway:
Yes
pakistan:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
norway:
Yes
pakistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Norway | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 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 | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 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 | Yes | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
norway:
30-50 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
norway:
30 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
norway:
80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
norway:
80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
norway:
80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
norway:
90-110 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
norway:
90-100 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
norway:
80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
norway:
Yes
pakistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
norway:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Norway | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Norway | 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 | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
norway:
Not used in Norway
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
norway:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
norway:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Norway | 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
norway:
Not allowed
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Norway | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with a national driving license | 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 | Yes, periodic inspection required | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | None | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
norway:
None
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
norway:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
norway:
Recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Norway | 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
norway:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
norway:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
norway:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Norway | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | High fines and possible license revocation | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
norway:
0.02%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
norway:
0.02%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
norway:
Can result in license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Emergency Services
| Norway | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 02800 | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NAF | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
norway:
112
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
norway:
02800
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
norway:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
norway:
Recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Norway | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 1500 NOK | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 1700 NOK | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; substantial fines | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, typically required | 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
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
norway:
1500 NOK
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
norway:
1700 NOK
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
norway:
Yes, typically required
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay