Driving in Ireland vs. Kazakhstan: Key Differences Explained
Driving in Ireland and Kazakhstan presents distinct variations that every traveler should be aware of for a secure journey. From lane usage—where Ireland drives on the left while Kazakhstan favors the right—to differing speed limits and traffic regulations, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring road safety abroad. Equip yourself with this knowledge before hitting the road!
Lanes
| Ireland | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No, overtake on the right. | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, standard overtaking side. | 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' 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 | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
ireland:
Left
kazakhstan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
kazakhstan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
kazakhstan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
kazakhstan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ireland:
Use leftmost lane.
kazakhstan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ireland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ireland:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ireland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ireland:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Ireland | 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 | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
ireland:
50 km/h
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ireland:
30 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
80-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ireland:
80-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
80-90 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
120 km/h
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ireland:
100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
kazakhstan:
Yes
Signals
| Ireland | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to turn green. | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with red borders | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
kazakhstan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
kazakhstan:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
kazakhstan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Ireland | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
ireland:
Not allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Ireland | 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 | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Ireland | 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
ireland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ireland:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
kazakhstan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ireland | 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 | Random breath testing is common. | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
Limits: General Drivers
ireland:
0.05%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ireland:
0.02%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Emergency Services
| Ireland | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 or 999 | Call 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ireland:
112 or 999
kazakhstan:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ireland:
112 or 999
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ireland | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €80 to €120, and 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 | €60 fine and two penalty points | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €60 fine and three penalty points | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €80 and three penalty points | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
Common Fines: Speeding
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
ireland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks