Driving Differences: Kazakhstan vs Slovakia Explained
When navigating the roads of Kazakhstan and Slovakia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence their travel experience. Key contrasts include lane usage, speed limits, and documentation requirements. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey while driving in either country.
Lanes
| Kazakhstan | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Bus Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
slovakia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
slovakia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
slovakia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
slovakia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
slovakia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Kazakhstan | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 20-30 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 |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 130 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. |
Urban Areas: Standard
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
slovakia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
slovakia:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
slovakia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
slovakia:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
slovakia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Signals
| Kazakhstan | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kazakhstan | Not used in Slovakia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard | Slovak; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
slovakia:
Not used in Slovakia
Traffic Signs: Language
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
slovakia:
Slovak; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
slovakia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Kazakhstan | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| 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
slovakia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
slovakia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Kazakhstan | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required along with local license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection | Mandatory and regular inspections required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
slovakia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
slovakia:
International Driving Permit required along with local license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
slovakia:
Mandatory and regular inspections required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
slovakia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Kazakhstan | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
slovakia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Kazakhstan | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Enforcement: Random Checks
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
slovakia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
slovakia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Kazakhstan | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 102 | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
kazakhstan:
Call 102
slovakia:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
slovakia:
Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
slovakia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Kazakhstan | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent | Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | €50 to €150, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for handheld use while driving | €100 to €200, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | €100 to €250, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
slovakia:
Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible
Common Fines: Alcohol
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
slovakia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
slovakia:
€50 to €150, points in some regions
Common Fines: Phone Use
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
slovakia:
€100 to €200, points in some regions
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
slovakia:
€100 to €250, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
slovakia:
Common
Payment: Deadline
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
slovakia:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay