Driving in Belgium vs. Kazakhstan: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Belgium and Kazakhstan, understanding the distinct driving regulations is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. Key contrasts include speed limits, the use of lane markings, and alcohol limits, with Belgium favoring variable speed limits and a higher blood alcohol limit compared to Kazakhstan's strict zero-tolerance policy. Explore these unique aspects to drive confidently in each country.
Lanes
| Belgium | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply. | 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
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
kazakhstan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
kazakhstan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
belgium:
Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads.
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
belgium:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belgium:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits.
kazakhstan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Belgium | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 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 | No; fines are mailed to the driver | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
belgium:
30-50 km/h
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belgium:
30 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
120 km/h
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits
kazakhstan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
kazakhstan:
Yes
Signals
| Belgium | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Belgium | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific signage permits | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Belgium | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; national driving license sufficient | 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 | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Belgium | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
belgium:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Belgium | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
belgium:
0.05%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
belgium:
0.02%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
belgium:
0.00%; zero tolerance
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Belgium | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | Call 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Belgium | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | 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 | Fine of around 50 EUR | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
belgium:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay