Driving in Pakistan vs. Philippines: Key Differences Unveiled
When navigating the roads of Pakistan and the Philippines, understanding their distinct driving norms is crucial for ensuring road safety. Key differences include driving sides, lane usage, and speed limits. Pakistan drives on the left, while the Philippines adheres to right-hand traffic, making it essential for travelers to familiarize themselves with these variations for a secure journey.
Lanes
| Pakistan | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allowed on open roads. | Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. | Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in some urban areas. | Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols on road. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Driving Side
pakistan:
Left
philippines:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
philippines:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
pakistan:
Prohibited
philippines:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
philippines:
Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
philippines:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
philippines:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
philippines:
Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs.
Bus Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
philippines:
Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Limited
philippines:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
philippines:
Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
philippines:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
No
philippines:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
pakistan:
N/A
philippines:
Minimum two occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
philippines:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Pakistan | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 40 kph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20 kph |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 kph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 70 kph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 50 kph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-110 km/h | 80 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 kph |
| Speed Units | km/h | kph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot | Less common; fines are usually issued later |
Urban Areas: Standard
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
philippines:
40 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
pakistan:
40 km/h
philippines:
20 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
philippines:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
philippines:
50 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
philippines:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Speed Units
pakistan:
km/h
philippines:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
philippines:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
philippines:
Less common; fines are usually issued later
Signals
| Pakistan | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Used in some rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Urdu; symbols are standard | English and Filipino; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard warning signs used | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
philippines:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
philippines:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
philippines:
English and Filipino; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
philippines:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Pakistan | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Common, check for signs indicating restrictions |
Right Turn On Red
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
philippines:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
philippines:
Common, check for signs indicating restrictions
Documentation
| Pakistan | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | Required for registration; certificate must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually not required | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Insurance
pakistan:
Liability insurance mandatory
philippines:
Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
philippines:
Required for registration; certificate must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
pakistan:
Usually not required
philippines:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
philippines:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Pakistan | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used in urban areas | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
philippines:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
philippines:
Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
philippines:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Pakistan | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Severe for violations, may include imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and legal action | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
philippines:
Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays
Enforcement: Fines
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
philippines:
Severe for violations, may include imprisonment
Test Refusal
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
philippines:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Pakistan | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 15 for assistance | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan | Check with your insurance provider or AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
philippines:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
pakistan:
15 for assistance
philippines:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
philippines:
Check with your insurance provider or AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
philippines:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Pakistan | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle | Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Strict penalties, including imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine if not worn where mandatory | PHP 300 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | PHP 1000 to PHP 5000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and possible license points | PHP 1000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot | Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance |
Common Fines: Speeding
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
philippines:
Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000
Common Fines: Alcohol
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
philippines:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
philippines:
PHP 300
Common Fines: Phone Use
pakistan:
Fines apply
philippines:
PHP 1000 to PHP 5000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
philippines:
PHP 1000
Payment: On The Spot
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
philippines:
Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers
Payment: Deadline
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
philippines:
Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance