Driving in Kazakhstan vs. Portugal: Key Safety Differences
When traveling through Kazakhstan and Portugal, understanding the distinct driving regulations is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. Key differences include overtaking rules, speed limits, and documentation requirements. While Kazakhstan allows right-side overtaking, Portugal prohibits it. This comparison offers essential insights for travelers seeking to navigate these unique road environments confidently.
Lanes
| Kazakhstan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. | Labeled 'BUS'; 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: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
portugal:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
portugal:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
portugal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kazakhstan:
N/A
portugal:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Kazakhstan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 120 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 | Possible |
Urban Areas: Standard
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
portugal:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
portugal:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
portugal:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
portugal:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kazakhstan:
Yes
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Kazakhstan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kazakhstan | Not used in Portugal |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Traffic Signs: Language
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Kazakhstan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Kazakhstan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Kazakhstan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
portugal:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Kazakhstan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, especially during holidays |
Limits: General Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
portugal:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Emergency Services
| Kazakhstan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 102 | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
kazakhstan:
Call 102
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Kazakhstan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent | Varies; €60 to €2,500, 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 | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for handheld use while driving | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks | Possible |
Common Fines: Speeding
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
portugal:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
portugal:
Possible