Driving Differences: Pakistan vs United Arab Emirates
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. While Pakistan adheres to left-side driving and unique overtaking rules, the UAE emphasizes right-side navigation and variable speed limits. Understanding these essentials can significantly enhance your travel experience and ensure a safer journey abroad.
Lanes
| Pakistan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allowed on open roads. | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 6 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| 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: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Driving Side
pakistan:
Left
united arab emirates:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Left
pakistan:
Prohibited
united arab emirates:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
pakistan:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
united arab emirates:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Limited
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
pakistan:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
pakistan:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Pakistan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-110 km/h | 100-120 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 | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
pakistan:
40 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
pakistan:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Pakistan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in UAE |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| 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 English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard warning signs used | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
pakistan:
Not used
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
united arab emirates:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Pakistan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Pakistan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| 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 | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
pakistan:
Usually not required
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Pakistan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, not excessively |
| 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
united arab emirates:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Pakistan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and legal action | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Test Refusal
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
united arab emirates:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Pakistan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 15 for assistance | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
pakistan:
15 for assistance
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Pakistan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Strict penalties, including imprisonment | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine if not worn where mandatory | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and possible license points | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
Common Fines: Speeding
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
pakistan:
Fines apply
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically