Azerbaijan vs Kazakhstan: Key Driving Differences Explained
Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan present distinct driving norms and regulations that are crucial for travelers. While Azerbaijan features variable speed limits and a permissive approach to overtaking, Kazakhstan emphasizes stricter alcohol limits and comprehensive vehicle inspections. Understanding these contrasts enhances road safety and ensures a smoother driving experience in either nation.
Lanes
| Azerbaijan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the center on undivided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | In some cases, such as if the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved primarily for buses and sometimes other public transport vehicles. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked by road signs. | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Varies by region |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mainly in major cities and occasionally shared with bus lanes. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Often designated for buses and public transport. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
azerbaijan:
Marks the center on undivided roads.
kazakhstan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
azerbaijan:
In some cases, such as if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
azerbaijan:
Reserved primarily for buses and sometimes other public transport vehicles.
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
azerbaijan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked by road signs.
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
azerbaijan:
Limited
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
azerbaijan:
Mainly in major cities and occasionally shared with bus lanes.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
azerbaijan:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
azerbaijan:
Limited
kazakhstan:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
azerbaijan:
Often designated for buses and public transport.
kazakhstan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
azerbaijan:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
azerbaijan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
kazakhstan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Azerbaijan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 110 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 practice; fines can also be mailed. | Yes |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
azerbaijan:
90 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
azerbaijan:
90 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
azerbaijan:
90 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
azerbaijan:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
azerbaijan:
Electronic signs display current limits
kazakhstan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
azerbaijan:
Common practice; fines can also be mailed.
kazakhstan:
Yes
Signals
| Azerbaijan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Azerbaijan | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Azerbaijani; symbols are standard | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
azerbaijan:
Not used in Azerbaijan
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Traffic Signs: Language
azerbaijan:
Azerbaijani; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
azerbaijan:
Triangle-shaped with red border
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Azerbaijan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed, unless a green arrow is shown | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
azerbaijan:
Generally not allowed, unless a green arrow is shown
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
azerbaijan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Azerbaijan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | 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 | Annual technical inspection required | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Provided upon successful inspection | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
azerbaijan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
azerbaijan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
azerbaijan:
Annual technical inspection required
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
azerbaijan:
Provided upon successful inspection
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
azerbaijan:
Mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Azerbaijan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
azerbaijan:
Moderate use compared to some countries
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Azerbaijan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasional; fines and penalties apply | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
azerbaijan:
0.03%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
azerbaijan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
azerbaijan:
Occasional; fines and penalties apply
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
azerbaijan:
Can be substantial
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Azerbaijan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 102 | Call 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Call your insurance provider or local service | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
azerbaijan:
102
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
azerbaijan:
Call your insurance provider or local service
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
azerbaijan:
Mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Azerbaijan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant depending on excess speed | 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 | Significant fines | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Significant fines, possible license points | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; and fines can also be paid online or by mail | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
Common Fines: Speeding
azerbaijan:
Varies; can be significant depending on excess speed
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
azerbaijan:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
azerbaijan:
Significant fines
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
azerbaijan:
Significant fines, possible license points
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
azerbaijan:
Significant fines, points on license
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
azerbaijan:
Possible; and fines can also be paid online or by mail
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks