Driving in Israel vs. Kazakhstan: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Israel and Kazakhstan, understanding the contrasts in traffic regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include overtaking rules, speed limits, and alcohol consumption thresholds. While Israel permits overtaking under specific conditions, Kazakhstan has more lenient practices. Prepare yourself with this vital knowledge to ensure a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Israel | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
israel:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
israel:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
israel:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
israel:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits.
kazakhstan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Israel | 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 | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
israel:
50 km/h
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
israel:
30 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
israel:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
100-120 km/h
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
israel:
100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits
kazakhstan:
N/A
Signals
| Israel | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
israel:
Used before green light.
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
kazakhstan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Israel | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Israel | 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 | Annual inspection required; proof may be required | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Israel | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Israel | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
israel:
0.05%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Israel | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers | Call 102 |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
kazakhstan:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines issued, points possible | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks