Driving in Afghanistan vs. Kazakhstan: Key Differences
When comparing the road regulations and driving practices of Afghanistan and Kazakhstan, notable distinctions emerge that can impact traveler safety. From lane markings and speed limits to documentation and emergency protocols, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Stay informed to navigate the unique driving landscapes of both nations confidently.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Varies by region |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
kazakhstan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
kazakhstan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
kazakhstan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 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 instantly | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
kazakhstan:
Yes
Signals
| Afghanistan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Afghanistan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | Call 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay