Driving in Chile vs. Kazakhstan: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Chile and Kazakhstan, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence their journey. From varying speed limits and lane usage to unique traffic signals and penalties, understanding these contrasts is essential for road safety abroad. Prepare to navigate these differences and ensure a secure driving experience in both countries.
Lanes
| Chile | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
kazakhstan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
kazakhstan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
chile:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Speeds Limits
| Chile | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
chile:
50 km/h
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
kazakhstan:
Yes
Signals
| Chile | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
kazakhstan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Chile | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Chile | 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 | Required annually | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Chile | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
chile:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Chile | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Chile | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
kazakhstan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Chile | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | Call 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
chile:
133
kazakhstan:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay