Driving in Iceland vs. Kazakhstan: Key Differences Explained
When comparing the driving landscapes of Iceland and Kazakhstan, notable distinctions emerge that are crucial for safe travel. From speed limits to lane usage, drivers in Iceland face stricter alcohol regulations, while Kazakhstan allows right turns on red. Understanding these contrasts can significantly enhance your road experience in either country.
Lanes
| Iceland | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. | 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. |
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
kazakhstan:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | 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 on gravel roads | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h on paved roads | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h on paved roads | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
Urban Areas: Standard
iceland:
50 km/h
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
iceland:
30 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Signals
| Iceland | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | N/A | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Icelandic; symbols are standard | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
kazakhstan:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
kazakhstan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Iceland | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Iceland | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Iceland | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Iceland | 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 | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
iceland:
0.05%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
kazakhstan:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
kazakhstan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
kazakhstan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | Call 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | 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 | Mandatory; fines apply | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
iceland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay