Driving Differences: Kazakhstan vs Uzbekistan Uncovered
When comparing driving regulations in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, notable distinctions emerge. For instance, urban speed limits differ, with Kazakhstan allowing 40-60 km/h while Uzbekistan sets it at 60 km/h. Additionally, the rules surrounding overtaking and lane usage reveal contrasting practices, highlighting the importance of understanding local road norms for safe travel in these neighboring countries.
Lanes
| Kazakhstan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use the rightmost lane where possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. | Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Varies by region | Limited, mostly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kazakhstan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
uzbekistan:
Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
uzbekistan:
Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
kazakhstan:
List length: 5
uzbekistan:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
kazakhstan:
Use rightmost lane.
uzbekistan:
Use the rightmost lane where possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
uzbekistan:
Reserved for buses in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
uzbekistan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
uzbekistan:
Limited, mostly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
uzbekistan:
May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kazakhstan:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Kazakhstan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
uzbekistan:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
uzbekistan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
uzbekistan:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
uzbekistan:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kazakhstan:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Kazakhstan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kazakhstan | Not used in Uzbekistan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard | Uzbek and Russian; 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
uzbekistan:
Not used in Uzbekistan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
kazakhstan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
uzbekistan:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
kazakhstan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
uzbekistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Hand Signals: Common Usage
kazakhstan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
uzbekistan:
Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
uzbekistan:
Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
uzbekistan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Kazakhstan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
uzbekistan:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
uzbekistan:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Kazakhstan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
uzbekistan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
uzbekistan:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Kazakhstan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use | Generally more frequent due to local driving habits |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
kazakhstan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
uzbekistan:
Encouraged
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
uzbekistan:
Generally more frequent due to local driving habits
Alcohol
| Kazakhstan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21 |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial, varies by severity of infraction |
Limits: General Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
uzbekistan:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
uzbekistan:
0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21
Enforcement: Random Checks
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
uzbekistan:
Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized
Enforcement: Fines
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
uzbekistan:
Substantial, varies by severity of infraction
Emergency Services
| Kazakhstan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 103 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 102 | 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
kazakhstan:
112
uzbekistan:
103
Contact: Traffic Police
kazakhstan:
Call 102
uzbekistan:
102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
uzbekistan:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Kazakhstan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for handheld use while driving | Fines for using phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines issued, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks | Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
uzbekistan:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
uzbekistan:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
uzbekistan:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
uzbekistan:
Fines for using phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
uzbekistan:
Fines issued, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
uzbekistan:
Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office
Payment: Deadline
kazakhstan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
uzbekistan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
kazakhstan:
Possible if fines are not paid
uzbekistan:
Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines