Driving in Pakistan vs. Romania: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Pakistan and Romania, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experience. Key distinctions include driving sides, speed limits, and lane usage. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in these diverse countries.
Lanes
| Pakistan | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is 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 sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Limited, mainly in urban areas |
| 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 | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Driving Side
pakistan:
Left
romania:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
romania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
pakistan:
Prohibited
romania:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
romania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
romania:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
romania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
romania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
romania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Limited
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
romania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
romania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
pakistan:
N/A
romania:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
romania:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Pakistan | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 130 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: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
romania:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
pakistan:
40 km/h
romania:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
romania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
romania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
romania:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
romania:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
romania:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
romania:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Pakistan | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Romania |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Used in some rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Urdu; symbols are standard | Romanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard warning signs used | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
pakistan:
Not used
romania:
Not used in Romania
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
romania:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Pakistan | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
romania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
Documentation
| Pakistan | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | Yes, periodic inspections 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
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
romania:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
pakistan:
Usually not required
romania:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
romania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
romania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Pakistan | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used in urban areas | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use expected |
| 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
romania:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
romania:
Moderate use expected
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
romania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Pakistan | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Considerable fines for offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and legal action | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
Enforcement: Random Checks
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
Test Refusal
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
romania:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Pakistan | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 15 for assistance | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan | Call your insurance provider or a local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road |
Contact: General Emergency
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
romania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
pakistan:
15 for assistance
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
Penalties And Fines
| Pakistan | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Strict penalties, including imprisonment | Hefty fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine if not worn where mandatory | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and possible license points | Fines applicable; license points may be added |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist |
Common Fines: Speeding
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
pakistan:
Fines apply
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
Payment: On The Spot
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
Payment: Deadline
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
pakistan:
Possible if fines are not paid
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist