Driving in Pakistan vs. Tanzania: Key Differences Explained
When traversing the roads of Pakistan and Tanzania, drivers face distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. Key disparities include speed limits, lane usage, and vehicle documentation requirements. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a safe and smooth journey in both countries.
Lanes
| Pakistan | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Yes |
| 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 'DART'; 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 dedicated lanes. |
| 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.
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
pakistan:
Prohibited
tanzania:
No
Overtaking: On Right
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
tanzania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
tanzania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Limited
tanzania:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
tanzania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
pakistan:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Pakistan | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30-50 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 | 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
tanzania:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
pakistan:
40 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
tanzania:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
tanzania:
Yes
Signals
| Pakistan | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Tanzania |
| 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 and Swahili; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard warning signs used | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
pakistan:
Not used
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
tanzania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
tanzania:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
tanzania:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Pakistan | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
tanzania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Pakistan | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually not required | Displayed on windshield |
| 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
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
tanzania:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
pakistan:
Usually not required
tanzania:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Pakistan | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used in urban areas | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate usage compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Limited
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
tanzania:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Pakistan | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Significant fines apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and legal action | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
tanzania:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
tanzania:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Test Refusal
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
tanzania:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Pakistan | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 15 for assistance | 112 |
| 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 | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
tanzania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
pakistan:
15 for assistance
tanzania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
tanzania:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Pakistan | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Strict penalties, including imprisonment | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine if not worn where mandatory | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and possible license points | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
tanzania:
Common
Payment: Deadline
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
tanzania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay