Driving in Pakistan vs Switzerland: Key Differences Explained
Discover the contrasts in road regulations and practices between Pakistan and Switzerland. While Pakistan's left-side driving and relaxed overtaking rules create a unique driving experience, Switzerland emphasizes strict adherence to speed limits and lane usage. Understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring safe travels and smooth navigation in these diverse environments.
Lanes
| Pakistan | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allowed on open roads. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| 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 sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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: 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
switzerland:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
pakistan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Left
pakistan:
Prohibited
switzerland:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
switzerland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
switzerland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Limited
switzerland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
switzerland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
switzerland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
pakistan:
N/A
switzerland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
pakistan:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Pakistan | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 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 | 80 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, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
pakistan:
40 km/h
switzerland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
pakistan:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Pakistan | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Prepare to go |
| 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 | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard warning signs used | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
pakistan:
Not used
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
switzerland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
switzerland:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Pakistan | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Pakistan | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually not required | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| 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
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
pakistan:
Usually not required
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
switzerland:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Pakistan | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
switzerland:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
switzerland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
switzerland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Pakistan | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and legal action | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Pakistan | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
pakistan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
pakistan:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Pakistan | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 15 for assistance | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan | 140 |
| 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)
switzerland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
pakistan:
15 for assistance
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
switzerland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Pakistan | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Strict penalties, including imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine if not worn where mandatory | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and possible license points | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| 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
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
pakistan:
Fines apply
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay