Driving in Kazakhstan vs. Mexico: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the driving landscapes of Kazakhstan and Mexico reveals significant variations in regulations and practices. From speed limits in urban areas to the presence of designated lanes, understanding these distinctions is crucial for navigating safely abroad. Stay informed to ensure a secure and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Kazakhstan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Varies by region | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles where present. | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
mexico:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kazakhstan:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Kazakhstan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
mexico:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
mexico:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
mexico:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
mexico:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kazakhstan:
Yes
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
Signals
| Kazakhstan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kazakhstan | Not used in Mexico |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular signs with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
Traffic Signs: Language
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
Turns
| Kazakhstan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited |
U- Turns Allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
Documentation
| Kazakhstan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection | Varies by state; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| 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
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
mexico:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Kazakhstan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use | Moderate use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Kazakhstan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
mexico:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
mexico:
0.04%
Enforcement: Random Checks
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
mexico:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Kazakhstan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 102 | 066 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
kazakhstan:
112
mexico:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
kazakhstan:
Call 102
mexico:
066 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Kazakhstan | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | Varies, up to $50, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for handheld use while driving | Varies; can lead to significant fines |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; system improvements for online payments |
Common Fines: Speeding
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
mexico:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
Payment: Deadline
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments