Driving in the United Kingdom vs. Uzbekistan: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of the United Kingdom and Uzbekistan, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their journeys. From varying speed limits and lane usage to unique signaling methods, understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a safe and smooth travel experience. Dive into our detailed comparison to navigate effectively in both countries.
Lanes
| United kingdom | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid White Line | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). | No crossing or lane changes allowed. |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. | Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. | No crossing in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. | Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use the rightmost lane where possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. | Reserved for buses in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. | Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mostly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
united kingdom:
Left
uzbekistan:
Right
Markings: Solid White Line
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
uzbekistan:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
uzbekistan:
Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
uzbekistan:
No crossing in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
uzbekistan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
uzbekistan:
Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
united kingdom:
List length: 5
uzbekistan:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
uzbekistan:
Use the rightmost lane where possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
united kingdom:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
uzbekistan:
Reserved for buses in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
uzbekistan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
united kingdom:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited, mostly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
uzbekistan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
uzbekistan:
May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
uzbekistan:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
united kingdom:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
united kingdom:
Yes
uzbekistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
uzbekistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| United kingdom | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 mph | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 mph in some areas | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 mph | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50 mph | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50 mph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 70 mph | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 60 mph | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60 mph | 90 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
united kingdom:
30 mph
uzbekistan:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
uzbekistan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
united kingdom:
60 mph
uzbekistan:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
united kingdom:
50 mph
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
united kingdom:
50 mph
uzbekistan:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
united kingdom:
70 mph
uzbekistan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
united kingdom:
60 mph
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
united kingdom:
60 mph
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Speed Units
united kingdom:
mph
uzbekistan:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
united kingdom:
Yes
uzbekistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
uzbekistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
uzbekistan:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| United kingdom | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepare to go, not used in the USA | Not used in Uzbekistan |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| 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 | English; symbols are standard | Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
uzbekistan:
Not used in Uzbekistan
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
uzbekistan:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
united kingdom:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
uzbekistan:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
united kingdom:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
uzbekistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Hand Signals: Common Usage
united kingdom:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
uzbekistan:
Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
uzbekistan:
Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
uzbekistan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| United kingdom | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not permitted in the UK | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
| Left Turn: General | Left turns permitted; use caution | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed except where prohibited by signage | Allowed except where prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
uzbekistan:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
Left Turn: General
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
uzbekistan:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
uzbekistan:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
uzbekistan:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs
Documentation
| United kingdom | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not displayed; records are electronic | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
uzbekistan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
uzbekistan:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| United kingdom | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Generally more frequent due to local driving habits |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
united kingdom:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
uzbekistan:
Encouraged
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
uzbekistan:
Generally more frequent due to local driving habits
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
uzbekistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| United kingdom | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21 |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines apply | Substantial, varies by severity of infraction |
Limits: General Drivers
united kingdom:
0.08%
uzbekistan:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
united kingdom:
0.02%
uzbekistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
united kingdom:
0.02%
uzbekistan:
0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21
Enforcement: Random Checks
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
uzbekistan:
Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized
Enforcement: Fines
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
uzbekistan:
Substantial, varies by severity of infraction
Roundabouts
| United kingdom | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit | Use for first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
uzbekistan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Lane Usage: Right
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
uzbekistan:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| United kingdom | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 or 112 | 103 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or 112 | 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
united kingdom:
999 or 112
uzbekistan:
103
Contact: Traffic Police
united kingdom:
999 or 112
uzbekistan:
102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
uzbekistan:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| United kingdom | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | £100 fine | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | £200 and 6 penalty points | Fines for using phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | £100 fine and 3 penalty points | Fines issued, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 28 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
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
uzbekistan:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Seat Belts
united kingdom:
£100 fine
uzbekistan:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
uzbekistan:
Fines for using phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
uzbekistan:
Fines issued, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
uzbekistan:
Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office
Payment: Deadline
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay
uzbekistan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
united kingdom:
Possible if fines are not paid
uzbekistan:
Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines