Driving in the Bahamas vs. Kazakhstan: Key Differences
The driving experience in the Bahamas and Kazakhstan presents intriguing contrasts that are crucial for ensuring road safety abroad. While the Bahamas adheres to left-side driving, Kazakhstan follows right-side norms. Speed limits, lane usage, and traffic regulations vary significantly, impacting how travelers navigate these unique environments. Understanding these distinctions is essential for a secure journey.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | 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: Presence | Not common. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Varies by region |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bahamas:
Left
kazakhstan:
Right
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahamas:
Use leftmost lane.
kazakhstan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
kazakhstan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahamas:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 90 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
kazakhstan:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Signals
| Bahamas | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| 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
bahamas:
Not used
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahamas:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Bahamas | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahamas | 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 | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | 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
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | 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
bahamas:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahamas:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
kazakhstan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
Limits: General Drivers
bahamas:
0.08%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahamas:
0.00%; zero tolerance
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
kazakhstan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | Call 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 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
bahamas:
919
kazakhstan:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahamas:
Check with your insurance provider
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, 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 | $25 to $200, points may apply | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahamas:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks