Driving Differences: Colombia vs. Kazakhstan Explained
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and practices between Colombia and Kazakhstan. While both nations prioritize driver safety, key distinctions arise in speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol restrictions. This comparison will guide you through essential guidelines, ensuring a secure and informed journey in either country.
Lanes
| Colombia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | 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 | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
kazakhstan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
kazakhstan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 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: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
colombia:
30 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
kazakhstan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
kazakhstan:
Yes
Signals
| Colombia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; 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
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Colombia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Colombia | 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 inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Colombia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
kazakhstan:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | Call 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
kazakhstan:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, 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 $150, points on license | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
colombia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks