Driving in France vs. Kazakhstan: Key Differences Uncovered
When it comes to navigating the roads of France and Kazakhstan, understanding the nuances in driving regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol limits, with Kazakhstan enforcing a strict 0.00% blood alcohol content. Dive deeper into our comprehensive comparison to ensure a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| France | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
kazakhstan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
kazakhstan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
france:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
france:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
france:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
kazakhstan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| France | 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 | 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 | 130 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
france:
50 km/h
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
france:
30 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
france:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
france:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
130 km/h
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
france:
100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
kazakhstan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
kazakhstan:
Yes
Signals
| France | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in France | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; symbols are standard | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
france:
Not used in France
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
kazakhstan:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
kazakhstan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Turns
| France | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
france:
Not allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| France | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | 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, an MOT style test is required periodically | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| France | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | Moderate use |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
kazakhstan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| France | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
france:
0.05%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
france:
0.02%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| France | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
kazakhstan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| France | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | Call 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| France | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay