Driving in Japan vs. Uzbekistan: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Japan and Uzbekistan, it's essential to understand the distinct rules and regulations that govern their transport systems. Notably, Japan drives on the left side, whereas Uzbekistan adheres to right-side travel. Additionally, speed limits and lane usage differ significantly, impacting overall roadway safety. Equip yourself with knowledge to navigate these varied terrains confidently!
Lanes
| Japan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, overtaking is done on the right. | Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use the rightmost lane where possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours. | Reserved for buses in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mostly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
japan:
Left
uzbekistan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
uzbekistan:
Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
japan:
No
uzbekistan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
uzbekistan:
Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
japan:
List length: 5
uzbekistan:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
japan:
Use leftmost lane.
uzbekistan:
Use the rightmost lane where possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
japan:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
uzbekistan:
Reserved for buses in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
uzbekistan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
japan:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited, mostly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
uzbekistan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
uzbekistan:
May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
uzbekistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
uzbekistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Japan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 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; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
japan:
40-50 km/h
uzbekistan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
60 km/h
uzbekistan:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
japan:
60 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
60 km/h
uzbekistan:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
80-100 km/h
uzbekistan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
japan:
80-100 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
80 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
uzbekistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
uzbekistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
uzbekistan:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Japan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Japan | Not used in Uzbekistan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard | Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
japan:
Not used in Japan
uzbekistan:
Not used in Uzbekistan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
japan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
uzbekistan:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
japan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
uzbekistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Hand Signals: Common Usage
japan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
uzbekistan:
Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
uzbekistan:
Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Japan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
japan:
Not allowed
uzbekistan:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
uzbekistan:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Japan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required along with national license | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required along with national license | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
uzbekistan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
japan:
Displayed on license plate
uzbekistan:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
japan:
Not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Japan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Generally used sparingly | Generally more frequent due to local driving habits |
| 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
uzbekistan:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
japan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
uzbekistan:
Encouraged
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
japan:
Generally used sparingly
uzbekistan:
Generally more frequent due to local driving habits
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
japan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
uzbekistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Japan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Prohibited; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21 |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints may be set up | Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Substantial, varies by severity of infraction |
Limits: General Drivers
japan:
0.03%
uzbekistan:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
uzbekistan:
0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21
Enforcement: Random Checks
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
uzbekistan:
Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized
Enforcement: Fines
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
uzbekistan:
Substantial, varies by severity of infraction
Emergency Services
| Japan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 103 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or JAF | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
japan:
119
uzbekistan:
103
Contact: Traffic Police
japan:
110
uzbekistan:
102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
uzbekistan:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
japan:
Recommended
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Japan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, points on license | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines; enforceable | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Severe fines, points on license | Fines for using phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines, points on license | Fines issued, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid later | Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
uzbekistan:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
uzbekistan:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
japan:
Fines; enforceable
uzbekistan:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
uzbekistan:
Fines for using phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
japan:
Fines, points on license
uzbekistan:
Fines issued, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
uzbekistan:
Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
japan:
Possible if fines are not paid
uzbekistan:
Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines