Driving Differences: Kazakhstan vs. Pakistan Safety Tips
When navigating the roads of Kazakhstan and Pakistan, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experiences. Key contrasts include driving sides—right in Kazakhstan and left in Pakistan—as well as variations in speed limits and overtaking rules. Understanding these nuances is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in each nation.
Lanes
| Kazakhstan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Prohibited |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, allowed on open roads. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Varies by region | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles where present. | Primarily in some urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols on road. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
kazakhstan:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kazakhstan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Overtaking: On Left
kazakhstan:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
kazakhstan:
Use rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kazakhstan:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Kazakhstan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 90-110 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; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kazakhstan:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Kazakhstan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kazakhstan | Not used |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used in some rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
kazakhstan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
kazakhstan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Kazakhstan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Kazakhstan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Kazakhstan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
kazakhstan:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
kazakhstan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Kazakhstan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Enforcement: Random Checks
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Test Refusal
kazakhstan:
Can result in license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Emergency Services
| Kazakhstan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 102 | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
kazakhstan:
112
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
kazakhstan:
Call 102
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Kazakhstan | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for handheld use while driving | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay