Driving Differences: China vs Kazakhstan Explained
Exploring the unique road norms between China and Kazakhstan reveals fascinating contrasts in traffic regulations and safety measures. From distinct lane markings to varying speed limits and alcohol regulations, understanding these disparities is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad. Prepare to navigate the roads with confidence as we delve into these essential driving distinctions.
Lanes
| China | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Railroad crossings | Pedestrian crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane if possible. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Varies by region |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
kazakhstan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
kazakhstan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
kazakhstan:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
kazakhstan:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
kazakhstan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
kazakhstan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
kazakhstan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 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 | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
kazakhstan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
kazakhstan:
Yes
Signals
| China | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
kazakhstan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| China | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| China | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Chinese driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required for short visits | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
kazakhstan:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| China | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Moderate use |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
kazakhstan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
kazakhstan:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight |
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
kazakhstan:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | Call 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
kazakhstan:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | 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 | ¥50 to ¥200 | 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 | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | 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
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay