Driving in Guatemala vs. Kazakhstan: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Guatemala and Kazakhstan, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. Key contrasts include speed limits, alcohol regulations, and road lane availability. Understanding these variations can enhance safety and ensure a smoother journey in each unique driving environment.
Lanes
| Guatemala | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Limited | Varies by region |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
kazakhstan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
guatemala:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
guatemala:
30 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
kazakhstan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
kazakhstan:
Yes
Signals
| Guatemala | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; 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
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Guatemala | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Guatemala | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | 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 | Mandatory; proof may be required | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Guatemala | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
guatemala:
0.05%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Call 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
kazakhstan:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | 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 imposed | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay