Driving in Kazakhstan vs. Taiwan: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the roadways of Kazakhstan and Taiwan reveals significant contrasts in traffic regulations and vehicle operation. With strict alcohol limitations in both nations and varying speed restrictions, drivers must stay vigilant. Notably, Taiwan boasts high-occupancy lanes and cycle lanes, while Kazakhstan features unique signage and enforcement practices. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for safe travels abroad.
Lanes
| Kazakhstan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Varies by region | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles where present. | Exclusive for bicycles and scooters. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants during peak times |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Bus Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
taiwan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kazakhstan:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Kazakhstan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-90 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, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
taiwan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kazakhstan:
Yes
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Kazakhstan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kazakhstan | Not used in Taiwan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard | Mandarin; 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
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Traffic Signs: Language
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Kazakhstan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
U- Turns Allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Kazakhstan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Kazakhstan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use | Frequent use in busy areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Alcohol
| Kazakhstan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| 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, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
kazakhstan:
Can result in license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
| Kazakhstan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 102 | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
kazakhstan:
112
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
kazakhstan:
Call 102
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Kazakhstan | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment | Steep fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for handheld use while driving | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
Common Fines: Speeding
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately