Driving Differences: Germany vs. Kazakhstan Explained
Driving in Germany and Kazakhstan presents distinct contrasts that every traveler should recognize. From lane markings to speed limits and regulations regarding alcohol consumption, understanding these variations is crucial for a secure experience on the road. Familiarize yourself with the essential differences to ensure your safety and compliance while navigating through these diverse landscapes.
Lanes
| Germany | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with 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 lane. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
kazakhstan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
kazakhstan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
germany:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
germany:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
germany:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
germany:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits.
kazakhstan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Germany | 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 | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum | 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 |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
germany:
50 km/h
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
germany:
30 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
100 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
germany:
80-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
germany:
100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
germany:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits
kazakhstan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
germany:
Common
kazakhstan:
Yes
Signals
| Germany | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to change to green | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; 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
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Traffic Signs: Language
germany:
German; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
germany:
Triangle-shaped with red border
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Germany | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Germany | 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 for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory, every 2 years | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on rear license plate | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
germany:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Germany | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
germany:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
germany:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
kazakhstan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Germany | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
germany:
0.05%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
germany:
Common
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Germany | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Call 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
germany:
110
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Germany | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license | 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 | €30 to €60 | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €90 to €200, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
germany:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
germany:
€30 to €60
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
germany:
€100, points on license
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
germany:
Common
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
Payment: Deadline
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay