Driving in Japan vs. Kazakhstan: Key Safety Differences
Discover the unique driving landscapes of Japan and Kazakhstan! This comparison highlights key distinctions such as lane usage, speed limits, and traffic regulations. While Japan mandates driving on the left and imposes stricter alcohol limits, Kazakhstan permits right-sided navigation and has a different approach to vehicle inspections. Ensure your safety by understanding these crucial variations.
Lanes
| Japan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, overtaking is done on the right. | 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 during specific hours. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Varies by region |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| 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 |
Driving Side
japan:
Left
kazakhstan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
kazakhstan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
japan:
No
kazakhstan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
japan:
Use leftmost lane.
kazakhstan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
japan:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
japan:
N/A
kazakhstan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
kazakhstan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Japan | 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 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 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
japan:
40-50 km/h
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
japan:
30 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
60 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
japan:
60 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
60 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
80-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
japan:
80-100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
kazakhstan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
kazakhstan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
kazakhstan:
Yes
Signals
| Japan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Japan | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
japan:
Not used in Japan
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Traffic Signs: Language
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
japan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Japan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
japan:
Not allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Japan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required along with national license | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required along with national license | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
japan:
Displayed on license plate
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
japan:
Not mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Japan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Generally used sparingly | Moderate use |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
japan:
To warn of hazards
kazakhstan:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
japan:
Generally used sparingly
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
japan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
kazakhstan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Japan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Prohibited; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints may be set up | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
japan:
0.03%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Japan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Call 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or JAF | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
japan:
119
kazakhstan:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
japan:
110
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Japan | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, points on license | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines; enforceable | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Severe fines, points on license | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid later | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
japan:
Fines; enforceable
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
japan:
Fines, points on license
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
Payment: Deadline
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay