Driving in Kazakhstan vs. Norway: Key Safety Differences
When venturing into the roads of Kazakhstan and Norway, understanding their distinct traffic regulations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Key disparities include lane markings, speed limits, and overtaking rules, reflecting each nation's unique approach to road management. Familiarizing yourself with these variations will enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Kazakhstan | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| 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.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
kazakhstan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Bus Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
norway:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
norway:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kazakhstan:
N/A
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Kazakhstan | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 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 | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 90-100 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
norway:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
norway:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| Kazakhstan | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kazakhstan | Not used in Norway |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
norway:
Not used in Norway
Traffic Signs: Language
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Kazakhstan | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
norway:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Kazakhstan | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | Accepted with a national driving license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | None |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
norway:
None
Road Etiquette
| Kazakhstan | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
norway:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Kazakhstan | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | High fines and possible license revocation |
Limits: General Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Emergency Services
| Kazakhstan | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 102 | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
Contact: Traffic Police
kazakhstan:
Call 102
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Penalties And Fines
| Kazakhstan | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for handheld use while driving | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks | Yes, typically required |
Common Fines: Speeding
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
norway:
Yes, typically required