Driving Differences: Kazakhstan vs. Kuwait Revealed
When navigating the roads of Kazakhstan and Kuwait, understanding the nuances of their driving regulations is crucial for ensuring safety. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and documentation requirements. While Kazakhstan allows overtaking on multi-lane roads, Kuwait's practices differ significantly, emphasizing the importance of being informed before hitting the road.
Lanes
| Kazakhstan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not commonly practiced. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Varies by region | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles where present. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
kuwait:
Not commonly practiced.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
kuwait:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
kuwait:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
kuwait:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
kuwait:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kazakhstan:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Kazakhstan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 45-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 45 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
kuwait:
45 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
kuwait:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
kuwait:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
kuwait:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
kuwait:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
kuwait:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
Signals
| Kazakhstan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kazakhstan | Not used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
kuwait:
Not used
Traffic Signs: Language
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
Traffic Signs: Warning
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
kuwait:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Kazakhstan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless signs allow |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
kuwait:
Prohibited unless signs allow
U- Turns Allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
kuwait:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Kazakhstan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
kuwait:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
kuwait:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Kazakhstan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
kuwait:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Kazakhstan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Significant fines and legal consequences |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving |
Enforcement: Random Checks
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
kuwait:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
Enforcement: Imprisonment
kazakhstan:
Possible for severe offenses
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
Emergency Services
| Kazakhstan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 102 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
kazakhstan:
Call 102
kuwait:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
kuwait:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Kazakhstan | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent | Varies; may include points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment | Very severe penalties for any alcohol |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for handheld use while driving | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks | Yes, possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Phone Use
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
kuwait:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
kuwait:
Yes, possible
Payment: Deadline
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days