Driving in Finland vs. Kazakhstan: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Finland and Kazakhstan, distinct variations emerge that can impact your travel experience. Key aspects such as speed limits, lane usage, and traffic regulations diverge significantly. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure journey and enhancing overall road safety while exploring these unique countries.
Lanes
| Finland | 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
finland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
finland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
finland:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
finland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
finland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
finland:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
kazakhstan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Finland | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 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 | 100-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
finland:
50 km/h
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
finland:
30-40 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
finland:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
100-120 km/h
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
finland:
100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
finland:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits
kazakhstan:
N/A
Signals
| Finland | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
finland:
Not commonly used
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Traffic Signs: Language
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Finland | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
finland:
Not generally allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Finland | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory for certain situations | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
finland:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Finland | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
finland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Finland | 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 | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
finland:
0.05%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
finland:
0.02%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
finland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
finland:
Can be substantial
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
finland:
Results in license suspension
kazakhstan:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Finland | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact through 112 | Call 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory, recommended | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
finland:
Contact through 112
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Finland | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on income | 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, typically €85 | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, typically €100 | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; usually drive must pay later | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
Common Fines: Speeding
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
finland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
finland:
Fines apply
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks