Driving in Pakistan vs South Korea: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Pakistan and South Korea, drivers encounter striking contrasts in regulations and practices. From lane usage and speed limits to traffic signs and enforcement protocols, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring safety while traveling. This comparison unveils essential insights to help you adapt seamlessly on your journey.
Lanes
| Pakistan | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allowed on open roads. | Allowed on multi-lane roads |
| 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 during specified hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. |
| 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 sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
pakistan:
Left
south korea:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Overtaking: On Left
pakistan:
Prohibited
south korea:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
south korea:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
south korea:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Limited
south korea:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
south korea:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
pakistan:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Pakistan | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-110 km/h | 100-110 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
pakistan:
40 km/h
south korea:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
south korea:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| Pakistan | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in South Korea |
| 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 | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard warning signs used | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
pakistan:
Not used
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
south korea:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
south korea:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Pakistan | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Pakistan | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually not required | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
pakistan:
Usually not required
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
south korea:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Pakistan | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
south korea:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
south korea:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
south korea:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Pakistan | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and legal action | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
south korea:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
south korea:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Test Refusal
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Pakistan | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 15 for assistance | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| 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 | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
south korea:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
pakistan:
15 for assistance
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south korea:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Pakistan | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Strict penalties, including imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine if not worn where mandatory | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and possible license points | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Alcohol
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
south korea:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
pakistan:
Fines apply
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
south korea:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay