Driving in Austria vs. Kazakhstan: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Austria and Kazakhstan, it's crucial to understand their distinct rules and regulations. Key variations include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol restrictions, with Austria allowing a blood alcohol content of 0.05%, while Kazakhstan enforces a strict 0.00% limit. Prepare yourself for a safer journey by familiarizing yourself with these essential driving disparities.
Lanes
| Austria | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
kazakhstan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
kazakhstan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
austria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
austria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
kazakhstan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 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; fines may also be mailed. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
austria:
50 km/h
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
austria:
30 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
austria:
100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
kazakhstan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
kazakhstan:
Yes
Signals
| Austria | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
kazakhstan:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Austria | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Austria | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Austria | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
austria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Austria | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
austria:
0.05%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Austria | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | Call 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | 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 apply | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
austria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay