Driving Differences: Pakistan vs Qatar Explained
When traveling abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. This comparison between Pakistan and Qatar reveals stark contrasts: while Pakistan drives on the left, Qatar adheres to right-hand driving. Additionally, speed limits and lane usage differ significantly, underscoring the importance of familiarizing oneself with these driving customs before hitting the road.
Lanes
| Pakistan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Allowed only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left. |
| 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 authorized vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. | Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in some urban areas. | Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols on road. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
pakistan:
Left
qatar:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
qatar:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
pakistan:
Prohibited
qatar:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
qatar:
Allowed only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
qatar:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
qatar:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
qatar:
Reserved for buses and authorized vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
qatar:
Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
qatar:
Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
qatar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
pakistan:
N/A
qatar:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
pakistan:
No
qatar:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
qatar:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Pakistan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 80 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 | 80 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 | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
qatar:
60-80 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
pakistan:
40 km/h
qatar:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
qatar:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
qatar:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
qatar:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
qatar:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
qatar:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
qatar:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
pakistan:
No
qatar:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
qatar:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
qatar:
Yes
Signals
| Pakistan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Qatar |
| 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 | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard warning signs used | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
pakistan:
Not used
qatar:
Not used in Qatar
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
qatar:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
qatar:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
qatar:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
qatar:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Pakistan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
qatar:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
qatar:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Pakistan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually not required | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory but recommended | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
qatar:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
pakistan:
Usually not required
qatar:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
qatar:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Pakistan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
qatar:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
qatar:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
qatar:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Pakistan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial; penalties are severe |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and legal action | Can result in license suspension |
Enforcement: Random Checks
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
qatar:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
qatar:
Can be substantial; penalties are severe
Test Refusal
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
qatar:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Pakistan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 15 for assistance | 999 or local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan | Check with your insurance provider or contact private services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
qatar:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
pakistan:
15 for assistance
qatar:
999 or local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
qatar:
Check with your insurance provider or contact private services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
qatar:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Pakistan | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle | Varies; can be substantial, point system applies |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Strict penalties, including imprisonment | Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine if not worn where mandatory | Minimum 500 QR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Minimum 500 QR, point system applies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and possible license points | Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot | Yes, or online payment options |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties |
Common Fines: Speeding
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
qatar:
Varies; can be substantial, point system applies
Common Fines: Alcohol
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
qatar:
Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR
Common Fines: Phone Use
pakistan:
Fines apply
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR, point system applies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
qatar:
Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies
Payment: On The Spot
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
qatar:
Yes, or online payment options
Payment: Deadline
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
qatar:
Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties