Driving in Pakistan vs. Tunisia: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Pakistan and Tunisia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and customs that shape their travel experiences. Key differences include driving on the left in Pakistan versus the right in Tunisia, varying speed limits, and unique lane usage rules. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in each country.
Lanes
| Pakistan | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Not typically permitted. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in some urban areas. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols on road. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
pakistan:
Left
tunisia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
tunisia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
pakistan:
Prohibited
tunisia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
tunisia:
Not typically permitted.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
tunisia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
tunisia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
tunisia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Limited
tunisia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
tunisia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
pakistan:
N/A
tunisia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
tunisia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Pakistan | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-110 km/h | 90 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
tunisia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
pakistan:
40 km/h
tunisia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
tunisia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
tunisia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
tunisia:
Yes
Signals
| Pakistan | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not typically used |
| 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 | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard warning signs used | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
pakistan:
Not used
tunisia:
Not typically used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
tunisia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
tunisia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
tunisia:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
tunisia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Pakistan | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted |
Right Turn On Red
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
tunisia:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
tunisia:
Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted
Documentation
| Pakistan | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | Mandatory; proof may be 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
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
tunisia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
pakistan:
Usually not required
tunisia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Pakistan | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic |
| 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 use |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
pakistan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
tunisia:
Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
tunisia:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
tunisia:
Moderate use
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
tunisia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Pakistan | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used broadly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; varies by offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and legal action | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
tunisia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
tunisia:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
Enforcement: Random Checks
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
tunisia:
Common; checkpoints used broadly
Enforcement: Fines
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
tunisia:
Substantial; varies by offense
Test Refusal
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
tunisia:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Pakistan | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) | 197 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 15 for assistance | 197 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
tunisia:
197
Contact: Traffic Police
pakistan:
15 for assistance
tunisia:
197
Contact: Roadside Assistance
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
tunisia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Pakistan | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle | Varies; DT 40 to DT 500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Strict penalties, including imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine if not worn where mandatory | DT 40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | DT 60 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and possible license points | Varies; DT 60 to DT 200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
tunisia:
Varies; DT 40 to DT 500
Common Fines: Alcohol
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
tunisia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
tunisia:
DT 40
Common Fines: Phone Use
pakistan:
Fines apply
tunisia:
DT 60
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
tunisia:
Varies; DT 60 to DT 200
Payment: On The Spot
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
tunisia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
tunisia:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay