Driving Differences: Kazakhstan vs. Saudi Arabia
When exploring the contrast between road regulations in Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia, notable distinctions emerge. From bus and cycle lane availability to speed limits and penalties for infractions, each nation showcases unique traffic norms. Understanding these variations is vital for ensuring a secure driving experience while abroad, enriching your travel journey.
Lanes
| Kazakhstan | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Varies by region | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles where present. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
saudi arabia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
saudi arabia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
saudi arabia:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kazakhstan:
N/A
saudi arabia:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
saudi arabia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Kazakhstan | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 120-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
saudi arabia:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
saudi arabia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
saudi arabia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kazakhstan:
Yes
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
Signals
| Kazakhstan | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kazakhstan | Not used in Saudi Arabia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard | Arabic; 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
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
Traffic Signs: Language
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
saudi arabia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Kazakhstan | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
Right Turn On Red
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
saudi arabia:
Not allowed
Documentation
| Kazakhstan | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mandatory periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Kazakhstan | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use | Frequent use for communication on the road |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
Alcohol
| Kazakhstan | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, random checkpoints are used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; possible imprisonment |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Frequent for offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties |
Enforcement: Random Checks
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
Enforcement: Fines
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
Enforcement: Imprisonment
kazakhstan:
Possible for severe offenses
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
Test Refusal
kazakhstan:
Can result in license suspension
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
Emergency Services
| Kazakhstan | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 102 | 993 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
kazakhstan:
112
saudi arabia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
kazakhstan:
Call 102
saudi arabia:
993
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Kazakhstan | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment | Substantial fines, imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for handheld use while driving | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer |
Common Fines: Speeding
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
Payment: On The Spot
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer