Motorway Rules and Speed Limits in Pakistan (2026)

The motorway rules in Pakistan start with the speed limit, which is 120 km/h for cars and light vehicles and 110 km/h for buses and heavy vehicles. Those limits were briefly lowered in 2026 as a fuel-saving measure and were restored around 20 June 2026. Posted signs override the general limit, and the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) set the speeding fine at PKR 2,500 in October 2023.

This guide covers the limits, lane discipline, the fines we could verify, and what to do if you break down. It is for drivers taking a car on the M-1, M-2 and the other motorways, whether on the way north or between cities.

What are the speed limits on Pakistani motorways?

Cars and light transport vehicles may do 120 km/h. Public service vehicles and heavy transport vehicles are limited to 110 km/h. On national highways such as the GT Road the limits are lower, at 100 km/h for cars and 80 km/h for the others, according to the reports on the June 2026 restoration.

Reports in 2026 also mention lower limits for some vehicle classes, and the limits changed once already this year. Read the signs, and treat a sign in a construction zone or in fog as the number that counts.

The Motorway Police have also said that vehicles exceeding 150 km/h face a fine and an FIR, and can be banned from the motorway.

Lane discipline

The rule that catches most drivers is simple: the overtaking lane is not a cruising lane. Overtake normally from the right, signal, and go back to your lane.

The NHMP have said they enforce against lane violations, and reported fines for lane straddling and unauthorised lane changes of PKR 1,000 each. Drifting between lanes without an indicator is what gets you stopped.

• Signal before every lane change.
• Keep your distance, especially behind trucks and in fog.
• Wear seat belts. The Motorway Police repeat this in every announcement, for all passengers.
• Do not reverse, and do not turn across the carriageway.

Fines the Motorway Police charge

In October 2023 the NHMP raised fines for the first time in about 26 years. The changes reported at the time were:

Lane straddling and prohibited lane changes were reported at PKR 1,000 each. Fines run from a few hundred rupees to a few thousand depending on the offence, and amounts can be revised, so treat this table as a guide and not a price list.

An NHMP officer issues a challan, and the NHMP uses e-ticketing and radar. Keep your CNIC, driving licence and registration papers in the car. Overseas visitors should read our guide to driving in Pakistan with a foreign licence.

Who cannot use the motorway

Motorways are for fast, licensed traffic. Heavy motorcycles have been kept off them after a Supreme Court ruling, and freight vehicles must pass through a weigh station before joining a motorway or national highway. Rules for smaller motorcycles have shifted by province and by year, so a rider should ask the NHMP before setting out instead of relying on a blog.

Fog, closures and breakdowns

In winter, fog can close sections of the M-2, M-1 and other motorways for hours. Our guide to motorway fog closures explains how to check and what to do. If you break down, move onto the shoulder as far as you can, switch on the hazard lights and call the helpline on 130 or the WhatsApp number above. In May 2026 the 130 line had a technical fault and the NHMP published alternative numbers, so save the WhatsApp number too.

Before joining, make sure your M-Tag has a balance. Our M-Tag guide explains how to get and top it up.

Should you drive at the limit?

Not always. The limit is a maximum, not a target. After a long drive north, a tired driver at 120 km/h in the dark is a bigger risk than the fine. For a family trip, keep to 100 to 110 km/h, take a break every two hours, and use service areas. Our Lahore to Islamabad motorway guide lists what the route offers.

Frequently asked questions