Driving in Fiji vs. Kazakhstan: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Fiji or Kazakhstan, understanding the unique traffic customs and regulations is crucial for a safe journey. This comparison highlights key distinctions, such as driving sides—left in Fiji and right in Kazakhstan—as well as speed limits and road etiquette, ensuring that travelers remain informed and secure while abroad.
Lanes
| Fiji | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | 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 | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Varies by region |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
Driving Side
fiji:
Left
kazakhstan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
kazakhstan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
kazakhstan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
fiji:
No
kazakhstan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
fiji:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
fiji:
Use leftmost lane.
kazakhstan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
kazakhstan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Fiji | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 kph | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 kph | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 kph | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 kph | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 kph | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 kph | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 kph | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 kph | 90 km/h |
| Speed Units | kph | km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
fiji:
50 kph
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
fiji:
30 kph
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
80 kph
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
fiji:
70 kph
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
60 kph
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
100 kph
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
fiji:
90 kph
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
80 kph
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Speed Units
fiji:
kph
kazakhstan:
km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
kazakhstan:
Yes
Signals
| Fiji | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Fiji | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; 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
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
kazakhstan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
fiji:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Fiji | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed only where indicated by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
fiji:
Not allowed.
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Fiji | 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 vehicle inspections are mandatory | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
fiji:
Not mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Fiji | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles | 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
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
kazakhstan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Fiji | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, potential loss of license | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
fiji:
0.08%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
fiji:
0.05%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Fiji | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones | Call 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
fiji:
911
kazakhstan:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Fiji | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500 | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines can apply | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply; obey signals | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
Payment: Deadline
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay