Driving in Albania vs. Kazakhstan: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads in Albania and Kazakhstan, drivers will encounter significant variations in regulations and practices that impact travel safety. While Albania lacks specific bus lanes, Kazakhstan reserves them for buses, showcasing diverse infrastructure approaches. Speed limits also differ, with Kazakhstan allowing higher speeds in urban areas. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for navigating securely in either country.
Lanes
| Albania | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | Varies by region |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
albania:
No
kazakhstan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
albania:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
albania:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
albania:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
albania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
albania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
albania:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Albania | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be paid at the scene. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
albania:
40 km/h
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
albania:
30 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
albania:
70 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
70 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
albania:
Yes; fines can be paid at the scene.
kazakhstan:
Yes
Signals
| Albania | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Albania | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
albania:
Not used in Albania
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Traffic Signs: Language
albania:
Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
albania:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Albania | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
albania:
Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
albania:
Varies by locality; check for signs
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Albania | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
albania:
Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
albania:
Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
albania:
Mandatory; proof required
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
albania:
Mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Albania | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Flashing Lights: Usage
albania:
To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake
kazakhstan:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
albania:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Albania | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for violations | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
albania:
0.01%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
albania:
0.00%; zero tolerance
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
albania:
Common, especially during holidays
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
albania:
Substantial fines for violations
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Albania | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 129 | Call 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
albania:
129
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
albania:
Check with your insurance provider
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
albania:
Mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Albania | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines over 1,000 ALL | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; potential fines and penalties | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines over 5,000 ALL | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
albania:
Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
albania:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
albania:
Fines over 1,000 ALL
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
albania:
Varies; potential fines and penalties
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
albania:
Fines over 5,000 ALL
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
albania:
Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
Payment: Deadline
albania:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay