Driving in Kazakhstan vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
When exploring road regulations abroad, understanding the nuances of driving in Kazakhstan versus the United Arab Emirates is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and vehicle inspection requirements, ensuring drivers adapt effectively to local customs and regulations for enhanced safety on the road.
Lanes
| Kazakhstan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 6 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Varies by region | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| 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, in some areas |
| 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, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kazakhstan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Right
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
kazakhstan:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kazakhstan:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Kazakhstan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 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 | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kazakhstan:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Kazakhstan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kazakhstan | Not used in UAE |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
kazakhstan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Kazakhstan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Kazakhstan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Road Etiquette
| Kazakhstan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use | Moderate use, not excessively |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Alcohol
| Kazakhstan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
Limits: General Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Emergency Services
| Kazakhstan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 102 | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
Contact: General Emergency
kazakhstan:
112
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
kazakhstan:
Call 102
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Penalties And Fines
| Kazakhstan | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for handheld use while driving | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay