Driving Differences: Pakistan vs. Portugal Explained
When navigating the roads of Pakistan and Portugal, drivers encounter notable contrasts that can significantly impact their travel experience. From driving on opposite sides to differing speed limits and road etiquette, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring safety. Explore the essential distinctions that will help you drive confidently abroad.
Lanes
| Pakistan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Prohibited. |
| 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 taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in some urban areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols on road. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
pakistan:
Left
portugal:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
portugal:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
pakistan:
Prohibited
portugal:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
portugal:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
portugal:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Limited
portugal:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
portugal:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
portugal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
pakistan:
N/A
portugal:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
pakistan:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Pakistan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot | Possible |
Urban Areas: Standard
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
portugal:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
pakistan:
40 km/h
portugal:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
portugal:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
portugal:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
pakistan:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Pakistan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Portugal |
| 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 | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard warning signs used | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
pakistan:
Not used
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
portugal:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
portugal:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Pakistan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Pakistan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually not required | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
pakistan:
Usually not required
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
portugal:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Pakistan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used in urban areas | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| 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
portugal:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
portugal:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
portugal:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Pakistan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common, especially during holidays |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and legal action | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
portugal:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Test Refusal
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
portugal:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Pakistan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 15 for assistance | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
portugal:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
pakistan:
15 for assistance
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
portugal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Pakistan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Strict penalties, including imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine if not worn where mandatory | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and possible license points | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
portugal:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
pakistan:
Fines apply
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
portugal:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay