Driving in Kazakhstan vs. Netherlands: Key Differences
When traveling from Kazakhstan to the Netherlands, understanding the distinct roadway norms and regulations is essential for a safe journey. This comparison highlights key variances, such as speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol restrictions, ensuring that drivers are well-prepared for their adventures abroad. Stay informed to navigate confidently and responsibly!
Lanes
| Kazakhstan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; 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 often distinct red coloring. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kazakhstan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
kazakhstan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Bus Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
netherlands:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Kazakhstan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 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 | 100-130 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
netherlands:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
netherlands:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kazakhstan:
Yes
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Kazakhstan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kazakhstan | Not used in Netherlands |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard | Dutch; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Traffic Signs: Language
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Kazakhstan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Kazakhstan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Road Etiquette
| Kazakhstan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Kazakhstan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Kazakhstan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
kazakhstan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Kazakhstan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 102 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
Contact: Traffic Police
kazakhstan:
Call 102
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Penalties And Fines
| Kazakhstan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent | Varies; can be significant, 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 | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for handheld use while driving | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required