Driving in Pakistan vs. Uzbekistan: Key Differences Explained
Driving in Pakistan and Uzbekistan presents unique challenges and regulations that every traveler should understand. Key contrasts include the driving side—left in Pakistan and right in Uzbekistan—and speed limits, which are notably higher in Uzbekistan. Familiarizing yourself with these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Pakistan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. | Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allowed on open roads. | Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use the rightmost lane where possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Limited, mostly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in some urban areas. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols on road. | May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
pakistan:
Left
uzbekistan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
uzbekistan:
Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
pakistan:
Prohibited
uzbekistan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
uzbekistan:
Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
pakistan:
List length: 5
uzbekistan:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
uzbekistan:
Use the rightmost lane where possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
uzbekistan:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
uzbekistan:
Reserved for buses in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
uzbekistan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Limited
uzbekistan:
Limited, mostly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
uzbekistan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
uzbekistan:
May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
pakistan:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Pakistan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 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 | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
uzbekistan:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
pakistan:
40 km/h
uzbekistan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
uzbekistan:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
uzbekistan:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
uzbekistan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
uzbekistan:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Pakistan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Uzbekistan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Used in some rural areas | Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Urdu; symbols are standard | Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard warning signs used | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
pakistan:
Not used
uzbekistan:
Not used in Uzbekistan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
uzbekistan:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
pakistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
uzbekistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Hand Signals: Common Usage
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
uzbekistan:
Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
uzbekistan:
Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
uzbekistan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Pakistan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed except where prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
uzbekistan:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
uzbekistan:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Pakistan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually not required | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
uzbekistan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
pakistan:
Usually not required
uzbekistan:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Pakistan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used in urban areas | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Generally more frequent due to local driving habits |
| 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
uzbekistan:
Encouraged
Use Of Horn: Limited
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
uzbekistan:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
uzbekistan:
Generally more frequent due to local driving habits
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
uzbekistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Pakistan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21 |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial, varies by severity of infraction |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and legal action | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
uzbekistan:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
uzbekistan:
0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21
Enforcement: Random Checks
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
uzbekistan:
Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized
Enforcement: Fines
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
uzbekistan:
Substantial, varies by severity of infraction
Test Refusal
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
uzbekistan:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Pakistan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) | 103 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 15 for assistance | 102 |
| 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 | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
uzbekistan:
103
Contact: Traffic Police
pakistan:
15 for assistance
uzbekistan:
102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
uzbekistan:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Pakistan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Strict penalties, including imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine if not worn where mandatory | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Fines for using phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and possible license points | Fines issued, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot | Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
uzbekistan:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
uzbekistan:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
uzbekistan:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
pakistan:
Fines apply
uzbekistan:
Fines for using phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
uzbekistan:
Fines issued, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
uzbekistan:
Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office
Payment: Deadline
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
uzbekistan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
pakistan:
Possible if fines are not paid
uzbekistan:
Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines