Driving Differences: Bhutan vs Kazakhstan Explained
Traveling abroad necessitates understanding the nuances of road regulations, and this comparison between Bhutan and Kazakhstan highlights key distinctions. From driving sides and speed limits to emergency protocols and penalties, each country offers unique practices that impact overall motoring safety. Grasping these variations ensures a safer and more enjoyable journey for all drivers.
Lanes
| Bhutan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | 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
bhutan:
Left
kazakhstan:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
kazakhstan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bhutan:
Use leftmost lane.
kazakhstan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
kazakhstan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
kazakhstan:
Yes
Signals
| Bhutan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | 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
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Bhutan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bhutan:
Not allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bhutan | 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 vehicle inspection required | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | 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
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
kazakhstan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | Call 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
kazakhstan:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | 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 enforced | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay