Driving in Afghanistan vs. Czech Republic: Key Differences
Driving in Afghanistan and the Czech Republic presents distinct practices and regulations that are crucial for ensuring road safety. Key disparities include lane markings, speed limits, and traffic signal protocols. Understanding these variations is essential for travelers navigating these countries, promoting better awareness and responsible driving behavior abroad.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Used for marking no-parking zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Used for temporary traffic situations. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
czech republic:
Used for marking no-parking zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
czech republic:
Used for temporary traffic situations.
Overtaking: On Right
afghanistan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
czech republic:
Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
czech republic:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
czech republic:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
czech republic:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
czech republic:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
czech republic:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
czech republic:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
czech republic:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
afghanistan:
No
czech republic:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 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 instantly | Yes, commonly applied |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
czech republic:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
czech republic:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
czech republic:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
czech republic:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
czech republic:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
afghanistan:
No
czech republic:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
czech republic:
Yes, commonly applied
Signals
| Afghanistan | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | Czech; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Triangle-shaped with red border. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
afghanistan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
czech republic:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
czech republic:
Not used.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
afghanistan:
Signal when exiting
czech republic:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
afghanistan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
czech republic:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
afghanistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
czech republic:
Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas.
Horn Usage: Penalties
afghanistan:
Fines may apply for misuse
czech republic:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
afghanistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
czech republic:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
afghanistan:
Not to be used to signal other messages
czech republic:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
afghanistan:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
czech republic:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
afghanistan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
czech republic:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
czech republic:
Czech; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
afghanistan:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
czech republic:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
czech republic:
Triangle-shaped with red border.
Turns
| Afghanistan | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
czech republic:
Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow.
Left Turn: General
afghanistan:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
czech republic:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
afghanistan:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
czech republic:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
czech republic:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
afghanistan:
Yes, marked with arrows
czech republic:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
afghanistan:
Prohibited
czech republic:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted without International Driving Permit. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended or required. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Annual inspection mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Requirement
afghanistan:
Valid driver's license required
czech republic:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
czech republic:
Accepted without International Driving Permit.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
czech republic:
International Driving Permit recommended or required.
Insurance
afghanistan:
Liability insurance mandatory
czech republic:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
czech republic:
Annual inspection mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
afghanistan:
Displayed on windshield
czech republic:
Displayed on the windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
afghanistan:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
czech republic:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
afghanistan:
Discouraged, fines may apply
czech republic:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
afghanistan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
czech republic:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
afghanistan:
Discouraged and may be penalized
czech republic:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
afghanistan:
Only in emergency situations
czech republic:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
czech republic:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
Pedestrians Priority
afghanistan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
czech republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
afghanistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
czech republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
afghanistan:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
czech republic:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, often at checkpoints. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Can be substantial. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: Underage Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
czech republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
afghanistan:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
czech republic:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
afghanistan:
Check if medication affects driving ability
czech republic:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
czech republic:
Common, often at checkpoints.
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
czech republic:
Can be substantial.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
afghanistan:
Possible for severe offenses
czech republic:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
afghanistan:
Can result in license suspension
czech republic:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Afghanistan | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
afghanistan:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
czech republic:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
afghanistan:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
czech republic:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
afghanistan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
czech republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
afghanistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
czech republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
afghanistan:
Use for first exit or straight
czech republic:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
afghanistan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
czech republic:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | 1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory. |
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
czech republic:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
czech republic:
1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | €50 or more. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | €50 or more. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | €100 or higher, points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Common, cash preferred. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
czech republic:
Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity.
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
czech republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
czech republic:
€50 or more.
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
czech republic:
€50 or more.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
czech republic:
€100 or higher, points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
czech republic:
Common, cash preferred.
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
czech republic:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
afghanistan:
Same as residents; must be paid
czech republic:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
afghanistan:
Possible if fines are not paid
czech republic:
Possible if fines are not paid.