Driving in Barbados vs. Kazakhstan: Key Differences Explained
Exploring the distinct driving landscapes of Barbados and Kazakhstan reveals some intriguing contrasts. While Barbados adheres to left-side driving, Kazakhstan favors the right. Additionally, varying speed limits and road protocols highlight the importance of understanding these regional regulations. Familiarizing yourself with these nuances ensures safer travel experiences abroad.
Lanes
| Barbados | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left. | 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 | 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 | 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
barbados:
Left
kazakhstan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
kazakhstan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
kazakhstan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
kazakhstan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
barbados:
Use leftmost lane.
kazakhstan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
kazakhstan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
barbados:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible in some cases | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
barbados:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
kazakhstan:
Yes
Signals
| Barbados | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | 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
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Traffic Signs: Language
barbados:
English; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
barbados:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Barbados | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Barbados | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Usually not required for non-residents | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | 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
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings | 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
barbados:
Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
barbados:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
kazakhstan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Barbados | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints can be used | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
barbados:
0.08%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
barbados:
0.04%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Barbados | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Exiting
barbados:
Signal left when preparing to exit
kazakhstan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
kazakhstan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | Call 102 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
barbados:
211 or 911
kazakhstan:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for not wearing seatbelts | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
barbados:
Fines and points on license
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay