Driving in Hong Kong vs. Kazakhstan: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Hong Kong and Kazakhstan, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their experiences. From lane usage to speed limits, these two regions showcase notable contrasts. Understanding the unique driving customs and safety protocols is crucial for ensuring a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Hong kong | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, overtaking should be done on the right. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS ONLY' 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 painted on road surfaces. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
hong kong:
Left
kazakhstan:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
kazakhstan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
hong kong:
Use leftmost lane.
kazakhstan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
hong kong:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
hong kong:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
hong kong:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hong kong:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Hong kong | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-50 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 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 | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are usually sent by mail | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
hong kong:
50 km/h
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
100 km/h
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
kazakhstan:
Yes
Signals
| Hong kong | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used when lights are about to turn green | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese and English; symbols are standard | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hong kong:
Used when lights are about to turn green
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Traffic Signs: Language
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Hong kong | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by sign | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
hong kong:
Not allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Hong kong | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hong kong:
Required annually
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hong kong:
Displayed on the windshield
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Recommended
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hong kong | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
hong kong:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hong kong:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
kazakhstan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hong kong | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hong kong:
0.00%; zero tolerance
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Hong kong | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
hong kong:
Signal left when preparing to exit
kazakhstan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Hong kong | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; usually contact through 999 | Call 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
hong kong:
999
kazakhstan:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Hong kong | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, 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 | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | HK$2,000, points on license | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | HK$900, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
hong kong:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
Payment: Deadline
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay