Driving Differences: Italy vs Kazakhstan Explained
When navigating the roads of Italy and Kazakhstan, understanding the variations in traffic regulations is crucial for a safe journey. While Italy boasts variable speed limits and a tolerance for right turns on red, Kazakhstan maintains a strict 0.00% alcohol limit and unique lane markings. Explore these essential distinctions to ensure a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Italy | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
kazakhstan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
kazakhstan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Usage
italy:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
italy:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
italy:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
italy:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
italy:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
italy:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
italy:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits.
kazakhstan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Italy | 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 | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
italy:
50 km/h
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
italy:
30 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
90 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
italy:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
70 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
130 km/h
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
italy:
100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
italy:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits
kazakhstan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
kazakhstan:
Yes
Signals
| Italy | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used; prepare to go when green appears | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Italian; symbols are standard | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Traffic Signs: Language
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Italy | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Italy | 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 with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
italy:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
italy:
Displayed on license plate
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Italy | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
italy:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Italy | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
italy:
0.05%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
italy:
Substantial
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Italy | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 (State Police) | Call 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 116 (ACI) | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
italy:
113 (State Police)
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
italy:
116 (ACI)
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Italy | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension | 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 | Varies; fines apply | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, strict enforcement | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, may include points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible, especially for foreign drivers | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
italy:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
italy:
Varies; fines apply
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
Payment: Deadline
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay