Driving in Greece vs. Kazakhstan: Key Safety Differences
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is vital for safe navigation. This comparison between Greece and Kazakhstan reveals significant variations in speed limits, lane usage, and legal requirements. From strict alcohol limits in Kazakhstan to unique lane markings in Greece, drivers must familiarize themselves with these critical distinctions to ensure a secure journey.
Lanes
| Greece | 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
greece:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
kazakhstan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
kazakhstan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Greece | 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 | 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 |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
greece:
50 km/h
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
greece:
30 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
greece:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
kazakhstan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
kazakhstan:
Yes
Signals
| Greece | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
kazakhstan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Greece | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Greece | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Greece | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
greece:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Greece | 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; police may set up roadblocks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
greece:
0.05%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
kazakhstan:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Greece | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | Call 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, 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 | €350, points on license | 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 | €350, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
greece:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay