Driving in Pakistan vs. South Africa: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Pakistan and South Africa, understanding their unique regulations is crucial for ensuring a safe driving experience. Key differences include lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol consumption laws, which can significantly impact your journey. Familiarizing yourself with these vital distinctions will help you stay safe while exploring both countries.
Lanes
| Pakistan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allowed on open roads. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
pakistan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
pakistan:
Prohibited
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Bus Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Limited
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
pakistan:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Pakistan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-110 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot | Yes, common in South Africa |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Pakistan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in South Africa |
| 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; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard warning signs used | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
pakistan:
Not used
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
south africa:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Pakistan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Pakistan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually not required | Not applicable |
| 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
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
pakistan:
Usually not required
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Pakistan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Use Of Horn: Limited
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
south africa:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Pakistan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and legal action | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Pakistan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
pakistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Pakistan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 15 for assistance | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| 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)
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
pakistan:
15 for assistance
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Pakistan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Strict penalties, including imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine if not worn where mandatory | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and possible license points | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
pakistan:
Fines apply
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay