Driving in Pakistan vs. Turkey: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the distinct driving environments of Pakistan and Turkey, notable disparities emerge in road regulations and vehicle operation. From lane usage and speed limits to emergency protocols, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Equip yourself with this knowledge to navigate safely in either country.
Lanes
| Pakistan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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 with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| 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
turkey:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
turkey:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
pakistan:
Prohibited
turkey:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
turkey:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
turkey:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Limited
turkey:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
turkey:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
turkey:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
pakistan:
N/A
turkey:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
pakistan:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Pakistan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | 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, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Standard
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
turkey:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
pakistan:
40 km/h
turkey:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
turkey:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
pakistan:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Pakistan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Used in some rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Urdu; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard warning signs used | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
pakistan:
Not used
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Hand Signals: Common Usage
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
turkey:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Pakistan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Pakistan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually not required | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| 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
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
pakistan:
Usually not required
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Pakistan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used in urban areas | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | More 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
turkey:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
turkey:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Pakistan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and legal action | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
turkey:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
turkey:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Pakistan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 15 for assistance | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| 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)
turkey:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
pakistan:
15 for assistance
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Pakistan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Strict penalties, including imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine if not worn where mandatory | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and possible license points | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
pakistan:
Fines apply
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges