Driving in Brazil vs. Kazakhstan: Key Differences Explained
Explore the intriguing contrasts in roadway regulations between Brazil and Kazakhstan. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol thresholds and emergency contacts, these nations present unique driving environments. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a seamless and secure experience on the roads abroad.
Lanes
| Brazil | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; 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. |
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
kazakhstan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brazil:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brazil:
30 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
80-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Signals
| Brazil | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; 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
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Brazil | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
brazil:
Not allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Brazil | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year for passenger vehicles | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Brazil | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brazil:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Brazil | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
kazakhstan:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | Call 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, especially at night | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
kazakhstan:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay