Driving in Pakistan vs. Spain: Key Differences Revealed
When traversing the roads of Pakistan and Spain, drivers encounter notable contrasts that can significantly impact their travel experience. From lane usage to speed regulations, these discrepancies reveal essential insights for ensuring road safety abroad. Understanding these driving nuances is crucial for a secure and enjoyable journey in both countries.
Lanes
| Pakistan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| 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 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
pakistan:
Left
spain:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
pakistan:
Prohibited
spain:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
spain:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
spain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Limited
spain:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
pakistan:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
pakistan:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Pakistan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 70-80 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 | 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, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
pakistan:
40 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
pakistan:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Pakistan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Spain |
| 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 | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard warning signs used | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
pakistan:
Not used
spain:
Not used in Spain
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
spain:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
spain:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Pakistan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Pakistan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually not required | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| 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
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
pakistan:
Usually not required
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Pakistan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used in urban areas | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
| 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
spain:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Pakistan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and legal action | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Pakistan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 15 for assistance | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
pakistan:
15 for assistance
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Pakistan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Strict penalties, including imprisonment | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine if not worn where mandatory | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and possible license points | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
pakistan:
Fines apply
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay