Driving in Kazakhstan vs. New Zealand: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Kazakhstan and New Zealand, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experiences. Key contrasts include the side of the road used, speed limits, and the use of indicators at roundabouts. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in both countries.
Lanes
| Kazakhstan | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| 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 green pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
kazakhstan:
Right
new zealand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kazakhstan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
kazakhstan:
Use rightmost lane.
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
new zealand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kazakhstan:
N/A
new zealand:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Kazakhstan | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 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 | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kazakhstan:
Yes
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Kazakhstan | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kazakhstan | Not used in New Zealand |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard | English; 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
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
kazakhstan:
Signal when exiting
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Kazakhstan | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
new zealand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Kazakhstan | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| 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 | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or 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
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Kazakhstan | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
kazakhstan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
kazakhstan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Kazakhstan | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines, can vary widely |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and other penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
new zealand:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
kazakhstan:
Can result in license suspension
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Kazakhstan | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
kazakhstan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Emergency Services
| Kazakhstan | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 102 | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
kazakhstan:
112
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
kazakhstan:
Call 102
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Kazakhstan | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent | Varies; $30 to $630, 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 | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for handheld use while driving | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
new zealand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay