Driving Differences: Kazakhstan vs. South Africa
When navigating the roads of Kazakhstan and South Africa, understanding the distinct driving practices is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. Key variations include driving sides, speed limits, and traffic regulations. For instance, Kazakhstan drives on the right while South Africa drives on the left, creating significant contrasts in road etiquette. Discover essential insights to stay secure while driving abroad.
Lanes
| Kazakhstan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
kazakhstan:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kazakhstan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
kazakhstan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
kazakhstan:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
kazakhstan:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Kazakhstan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kazakhstan:
Yes
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Kazakhstan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kazakhstan | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Kazakhstan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Kazakhstan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Kazakhstan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use | Less 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: Cultural Norm
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
kazakhstan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Kazakhstan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
kazakhstan:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Kazakhstan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
kazakhstan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Kazakhstan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 102 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
kazakhstan:
112
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
kazakhstan:
Call 102
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Kazakhstan | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for handheld use while driving | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay