Driving in Afghanistan vs. Slovakia: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Afghanistan and Slovakia, travelers will encounter significant variations in traffic regulations and road etiquette. From the presence of dedicated bus and cycle lanes in Slovakia to the distinctive speed limits and enforcement practices in Afghanistan, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a trouble-free journey and enhanced safety on foreign streets.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with 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.
slovakia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
slovakia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
slovakia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
slovakia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
slovakia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
slovakia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
slovakia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
afghanistan:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 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 | 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
slovakia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
slovakia:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
slovakia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
slovakia:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
slovakia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
afghanistan:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
slovakia:
Yes
Signals
| Afghanistan | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in Slovakia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | Slovak; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Triangular-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
slovakia:
Not used in Slovakia
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
slovakia:
Slovak; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
slovakia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Afghanistan | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
slovakia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
slovakia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with local license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Mandatory and regular inspections required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
slovakia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
slovakia:
International Driving Permit required along with local license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
slovakia:
Mandatory and regular inspections required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
slovakia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
slovakia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
slovakia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
slovakia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
slovakia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service |
| 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
slovakia:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
slovakia:
Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
slovakia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
slovakia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible |
| 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 to €150, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | €100 to €200, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | €100 to €250, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
slovakia:
Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
slovakia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
slovakia:
€50 to €150, points in some regions
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
slovakia:
€100 to €200, points in some regions
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
slovakia:
€100 to €250, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
slovakia:
Common
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
slovakia:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay