Driving in Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka: Safety Tips & Differences
When navigating the roads of Pakistan and Sri Lanka, understanding the distinct driving regulations can enhance your travel experience. Key distinctions include lane usage, speed limits, and traffic signals, which vary significantly between the two nations. Familiarizing yourself with these contrasts ensures a safer journey as you explore each country's unique landscapes.
Lanes
| Pakistan | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allowed on open roads. | Allowed when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in some urban areas. | Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols on road. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
pakistan:
Prohibited
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
sri lanka:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Limited
sri lanka:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
sri lanka:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
pakistan:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Pakistan | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-110 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
sri lanka:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
pakistan:
40 km/h
sri lanka:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Pakistan | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| 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 | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Urdu; symbols are standard | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard warning signs used | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
pakistan:
Not used
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
sri lanka:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| Pakistan | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows | Not allowed |
| 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
sri lanka:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Pakistan | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| 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, proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually not required | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
pakistan:
Usually not required
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Pakistan | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used in urban areas | Only in emergency situations |
Use Of Horn: Limited
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
sri lanka:
Only in emergency situations
Alcohol
| Pakistan | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and legal action | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
sri lanka:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Pakistan | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
pakistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Pakistan | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 15 for assistance | 119 or contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
pakistan:
15 for assistance
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Pakistan | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle | Varies; expect 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 applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and possible license points | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
sri lanka:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
pakistan:
Fines apply
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay