Driving in Pakistan vs. Russia: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the driving landscapes of Pakistan and Russia, distinct contrasts emerge in regulations, road usage, and safety practices. From lane discipline to speed limits, these countries showcase unique approaches to vehicular navigation. Understanding these variations is vital for ensuring a secure journey when traversing their roads.
Lanes
| Pakistan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided 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 taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. |
| 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
russia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
pakistan:
Prohibited
russia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
russia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
russia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
russia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Limited
russia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
russia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
russia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
pakistan:
N/A
russia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
pakistan:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Pakistan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-110 km/h | 90-100 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 | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
pakistan:
40 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
russia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
pakistan:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Pakistan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Russia |
| 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 | Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard warning signs used | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
pakistan:
Not used
russia:
Not used in Russia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
russia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
russia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Pakistan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Pakistan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually not required | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory but recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
pakistan:
Usually not required
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
russia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Pakistan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
russia:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
russia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
russia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Pakistan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.035% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common, especially in cities |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and legal action | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
russia:
0.035%
Enforcement: Random Checks
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Test Refusal
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
russia:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Pakistan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 15 for assistance | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan | Check with your insurance provider |
| 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)
russia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
pakistan:
15 for assistance
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
russia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Pakistan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Strict penalties, including imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine if not worn where mandatory | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and possible license points | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
russia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
pakistan:
Fines apply
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay