Driving Differences: Kazakhstan vs. Latvia Safety Tips
When navigating the roads of Kazakhstan and Latvia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that significantly impact their travel experience. From lane usage to speed limits and alcohol policies, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring safe journeys. Familiarize yourself with the key contrasts to enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Kazakhstan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Varies by region | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles where present. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| 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.
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
Bus Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
latvia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
latvia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
latvia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
latvia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
latvia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kazakhstan:
N/A
latvia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
latvia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Kazakhstan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; fines are often issued immediately |
Urban Areas: Standard
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
latvia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
latvia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
latvia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
latvia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
latvia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
latvia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
latvia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
latvia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
latvia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kazakhstan:
Yes
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
Signals
| Kazakhstan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kazakhstan | Not used in Latvia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard | Latvian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
kazakhstan:
Signal when exiting
latvia:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Kazakhstan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise |
U- Turns Allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Documentation
| Kazakhstan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
latvia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
latvia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Kazakhstan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
latvia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
kazakhstan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
Alcohol
| Kazakhstan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, especially on weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial, varies based on BAC |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
latvia:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
Enforcement: Fines
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
Test Refusal
kazakhstan:
Can result in license suspension
latvia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Kazakhstan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 102 | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
kazakhstan:
Call 102
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
latvia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Kazakhstan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent | Varies; €20 to €300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | €20 to €40, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for handheld use while driving | €10 to €30, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | €30 to €70, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks | Common; fines can often be settled at the time |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
Payment: Deadline
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days