Driving Differences: India vs Kazakhstan Explained
When navigating the roads of India and Kazakhstan, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. Key distinctions include driving on opposite sides, varying speed limits, and unique lane usage rules. Understanding these disparities is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| India | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, but only when safe. | 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: Presence | Yes, in some metropolitan areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | 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. |
Driving Side
india:
Left
kazakhstan:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
india:
No
kazakhstan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
india:
Use leftmost lane.
kazakhstan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
kazakhstan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some areas
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
india:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
india:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| India | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major cities and highways | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly used | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
india:
40-50 km/h
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
india:
30 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
60-80 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
india:
60-80 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-70 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
80-120 km/h
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
india:
80-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-80 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
kazakhstan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
india:
Yes, commonly used
kazakhstan:
Yes
Signals
| India | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in India | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | More common due to varied vehicle conditions | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and local languages; symbols are standard | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
india:
Not used in India
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
kazakhstan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
kazakhstan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Turns
| India | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Left Turn: General
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
kazakhstan:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| India | 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 required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | PUC sticker displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
india:
Not mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| India | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to other countries | Moderate use |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
kazakhstan:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Pedestrians Priority
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
kazakhstan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
kazakhstan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| India | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; fines can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
india:
0.03%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
kazakhstan:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| India | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
kazakhstan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
kazakhstan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| India | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply | Call 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations | 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: Traffic Police
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| India | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, 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 | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
india:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
Payment: Deadline
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay