Driving Differences: Pakistan vs. United Kingdom
As travelers embark on journeys from Pakistan to the United Kingdom, understanding the nuances of road regulations is vital for ensuring safety. This comparison reveals significant contrasts, such as speed limits, lane usage, and signaling practices. By familiarizing themselves with these distinctions, drivers can navigate foreign roads with confidence and responsibility.
Lanes
| Pakistan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allowed on open roads. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in some urban areas. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols on road. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| 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. |
Markings: Solid White Line
pakistan:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
pakistan:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
pakistan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Left
pakistan:
Prohibited
united kingdom:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
pakistan:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Bus Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
united kingdom:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Limited
united kingdom:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
pakistan:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
pakistan:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Pakistan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-110 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| 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 | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
pakistan:
40 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
pakistan:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
pakistan:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Pakistan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| 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; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard warning signs used | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
pakistan:
Not used
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
pakistan:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
united kingdom:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
united kingdom:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Pakistan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
pakistan:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
pakistan:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Pakistan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually not required | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| 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
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
pakistan:
Usually not required
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Pakistan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
united kingdom:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Pakistan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and legal action | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Test Refusal
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
united kingdom:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Pakistan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
pakistan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
pakistan:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Pakistan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 15 for assistance | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
pakistan:
15 for assistance
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Pakistan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Strict penalties, including imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine if not worn where mandatory | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and possible license points | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
pakistan:
Fines apply
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay