Driving Differences: Cyprus vs Kazakhstan Explained
When navigating the roads of Cyprus and Kazakhstan, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experience. From different sides of the road to varied speed limits and signage, understanding these disparities is essential for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Discover the crucial contrasts that can impact your driving safety while exploring these two fascinating countries.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited. | 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 | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Usually reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. | 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
cyprus:
Left
kazakhstan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
kazakhstan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
kazakhstan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
kazakhstan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
kazakhstan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cyprus:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
cyprus:
50 km/h
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cyprus:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Signals
| Cyprus | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
kazakhstan:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Cyprus | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
cyprus:
Not allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Cyprus | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits without additional permits | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cyprus:
Accepted for short visits without additional permits
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | 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
cyprus:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
kazakhstan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
cyprus:
0.05%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
cyprus:
Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately
kazakhstan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Call 102 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | 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 | Strict enforcement | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | 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
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
cyprus:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay