Driving in Kazakhstan vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom, understanding the distinct traffic regulations is crucial for a safe journey. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol restrictions, these two nations exhibit notable contrasts. Familiarizing yourself with these driving protocols will enhance your travel experience and ensure your well-being on the road.
Lanes
| Kazakhstan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Varies by region | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles where present. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
kazakhstan:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
kazakhstan:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kazakhstan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
kazakhstan:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
kazakhstan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
kazakhstan:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
kazakhstan:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
united kingdom:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Kazakhstan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
kazakhstan:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kazakhstan:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kazakhstan:
Yes
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Kazakhstan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kazakhstan | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
kazakhstan:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Kazakhstan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
kazakhstan:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
kazakhstan:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Kazakhstan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| 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
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Kazakhstan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
kazakhstan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Kazakhstan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Fines
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Kazakhstan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
kazakhstan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
kazakhstan:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Kazakhstan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 102 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
kazakhstan:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
kazakhstan:
Call 102
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Kazakhstan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for handheld use while driving | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay