Driving in Kazakhstan vs. Russia: Key Safety Insights
When comparing road regulations and driving practices in Kazakhstan and Russia, several key distinctions emerge. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol tolerance and emergency protocols, these variations can significantly impact your travel experience. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Kazakhstan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. |
| 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. |
| 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.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Bus Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
russia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
russia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
russia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Kazakhstan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 90-100 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 also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kazakhstan:
Yes
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Kazakhstan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kazakhstan | Not used in Russia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard | Russian; 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
russia:
Not used in Russia
Traffic Signs: Language
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Kazakhstan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Kazakhstan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
russia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Kazakhstan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
russia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Kazakhstan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.035% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, especially in cities |
Limits: General Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
russia:
0.035%
Enforcement: Random Checks
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Emergency Services
| Kazakhstan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 102 | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
kazakhstan:
Call 102
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Kazakhstan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for handheld use while driving | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
russia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay