Driving in Estonia vs. Kazakhstan: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Estonia and Kazakhstan, understanding their distinct traffic regulations is vital for a secure journey. From speed limits and lane usage to alcohol restrictions and emergency contacts, these nations exhibit noteworthy variations. Familiarizing yourself with these driving nuances can significantly enhance your safety and overall experience while abroad.
Lanes
| Estonia | 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. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Usage
estonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
estonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
estonia:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
estonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
estonia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
estonia:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
kazakhstan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Estonia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
estonia:
50 km/h
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
estonia:
30 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
90 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
estonia:
90 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80-90 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
estonia:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits
kazakhstan:
N/A
Signals
| Estonia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Estonia | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Estonian; symbols are standard | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
estonia:
Yellow
kazakhstan:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Traffic Signs: Language
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
estonia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Estonia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Estonia | 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 every year; proof must be carried | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Estonia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
estonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Estonia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
Limits: General Drivers
estonia:
0.02%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
estonia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Emergency Services
| Estonia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Call 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
estonia:
112
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Estonia | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines apply | 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 | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
estonia:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
Payment: Deadline
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay