Driving in Australia vs. Kazakhstan: Key Differences
When traversing the roads of Australia and Kazakhstan, drivers must navigate distinct regulations and practices that impact their safety on the journey. Key disparities include driving on opposite sides of the road, varying speed limits, and the use of emergency equipment. Understanding these contrasts is crucial for a secure and seamless driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Australia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs. | 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
australia:
Left
kazakhstan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
kazakhstan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
kazakhstan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
kazakhstan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
australia:
Use leftmost lane.
kazakhstan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
australia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
australia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
kazakhstan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
kazakhstan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Australia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 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 | 80-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; may vary by area. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
australia:
50 km/h
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
australia:
40 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
80-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
australia:
80-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
kazakhstan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
kazakhstan:
Yes
Signals
| Australia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used. | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
australia:
Not commonly used.
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
australia:
Signal when entering and exiting
kazakhstan:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
australia:
English; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
australia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Australia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Australia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Australia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
australia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
australia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
kazakhstan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Australia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance in all states. | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadside breath testing often conducted | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
australia:
0.05%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
australia:
0.02%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Australia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal right if intending to turn immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Entering
australia:
Signal right if intending to turn immediately
kazakhstan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
australia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
kazakhstan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
kazakhstan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Australia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | Call 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | 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: General Emergency
australia:
000
kazakhstan:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Australia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | 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 | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
australia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay