Driving Safety in Kazakhstan vs. Spain: Key Differences
When comparing the road regulations of Kazakhstan and Spain, several intriguing distinctions emerge. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol tolerance and enforcement practices, these variations can significantly impact your travel experience. Understanding these essential driving norms is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in both countries.
Lanes
| Kazakhstan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| 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.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
spain:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kazakhstan:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Kazakhstan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80-90 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 | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kazakhstan:
Yes
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Kazakhstan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kazakhstan | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Kazakhstan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Kazakhstan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Kazakhstan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Kazakhstan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
kazakhstan:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Kazakhstan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 102 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
kazakhstan:
Call 102
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Kazakhstan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for handheld use while driving | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
Common Fines: Speeding
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.