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Country driving guide · 2026

Driving in Kazakhstan

Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Kazakhstan: 12 legal requirements + 4 other things worth knowing.

12

Required

1

Recommended

3

Good to know

Tick before you go

Pre-departure checklist for Kazakhstan

12 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.

  • 1968 IDP required alongside national licence

    Kazakhstan recognises the 1968 Vienna Convention IDP; UK and EU drivers must carry it together with their home licence and passport. A 1949 IDP is not accepted.

  • Passport with valid Kazakh visa or e-visa

    UK and most EU passport holders need a visa or e-visa for stays over 30 days; carry the passport in the vehicle at all times for police checks.

  • OSAGO compulsory third-party insurance

    Foreign-plated cars must buy local OSAGO insurance at the border or online; a UK/EU Green Card is not valid. Cost is roughly 5,000–15,000 KZT (10–30 EUR) depending on duration.

  • V5C plus notarised owner permission if not yours

    Carry the V5C/vehicle registration; if driving someone else's car you need a notarised power of attorney translated into Russian or Kazakh.

  • Temporary vehicle import declaration at border

    Declare the car to customs on entry. You receive a temporary import permit valid up to 1 year. Overstaying triggers heavy fines and seizure risk.

  • Warning triangle, first aid kit and fire extinguisher

    All three are mandatory in the vehicle at all times. Hi-vis vest is recommended but not legally compulsory.

  • Electronic free-flow tolls on motorway sections

    Tolled sections use ANPR plate cameras; foreign drivers register and pay via the CarTollPay app or roadside kiosks. Cost is roughly 1 KZT per km for cars, so under 200 KZT (0.40 EUR) per 100 km.

  • Drive on the right

    Traffic drives on the right, overtake on the left. Right turn on red is prohibited unless a green arrow is shown.

  • Speed limits 110 / 90 / 60 km/h

    Motorway 110 km/h (some sections signed 140), rural roads 90 km/h, urban areas 60 km/h. Speed cameras are widespread and fines arrive at the rental company.

  • Zero-tolerance alcohol limit

    BAC limit is 0.00 g/L: any detectable alcohol means a large fine and licence suspension. Do not drink anything before driving.

  • Dipped headlights on outside urban areas

    Dipped headlights or DRLs are mandatory at all times on roads outside city limits, and for all vehicles between 1 Nov and 1 Apr.

  • Declare cash over 10,000 USD at border

    Amounts equivalent to over 10,000 USD in cash or instruments must be declared to customs on entry and exit. Emergency number is 112.

Documents

1968 IDP required alongside national licence

Required

Kazakhstan recognises the 1968 Vienna Convention IDP; UK and EU drivers must carry it together with their home licence and passport. A 1949 IDP is not accepted.

Passport with valid Kazakh visa or e-visa

Required

UK and most EU passport holders need a visa or e-visa for stays over 30 days; carry the passport in the vehicle at all times for police checks.

OSAGO compulsory third-party insurance

Required

Foreign-plated cars must buy local OSAGO insurance at the border or online; a UK/EU Green Card is not valid. Cost is roughly 5,000–15,000 KZT (10–30 EUR) depending on duration.

V5C plus notarised owner permission if not yours

Required

Carry the V5C/vehicle registration; if driving someone else's car you need a notarised power of attorney translated into Russian or Kazakh.

Temporary vehicle import declaration at border

Required

Declare the car to customs on entry. You receive a temporary import permit valid up to 1 year. Overstaying triggers heavy fines and seizure risk.

Required equipment

Warning triangle, first aid kit and fire extinguisher

Required

All three are mandatory in the vehicle at all times. Hi-vis vest is recommended but not legally compulsory.

Vignette

No national vignette: tolls on select motorways only

Good to know

Kazakhstan has no sticker or e-vignette system. Tolls apply only on specific upgraded sections like Almaty–Khorgos and parts of Astana–Shchuchinsk.

Tolls

Electronic free-flow tolls on motorway sections

Required

Tolled sections use ANPR plate cameras; foreign drivers register and pay via the CarTollPay app or roadside kiosks. Cost is roughly 1 KZT per km for cars, so under 200 KZT (0.40 EUR) per 100 km.

Driving rules

Drive on the right

Required

Traffic drives on the right, overtake on the left. Right turn on red is prohibited unless a green arrow is shown.

Speed limits 110 / 90 / 60 km/h

Required

Motorway 110 km/h (some sections signed 140), rural roads 90 km/h, urban areas 60 km/h. Speed cameras are widespread and fines arrive at the rental company.

Zero-tolerance alcohol limit

Required

BAC limit is 0.00 g/L: any detectable alcohol means a large fine and licence suspension. Do not drink anything before driving.

Dipped headlights on outside urban areas

Required

Dipped headlights or DRLs are mandatory at all times on roads outside city limits, and for all vehicles between 1 Nov and 1 Apr.

Environment

Winter tyres December to March

Recommended

Winter tyres are legally required from 1 Dec to 1 Mar; temperatures hit -30 C and steppe roads drift over with snow. Carry a tow rope, shovel and warm clothing.

Long empty distances between fuel stops

Good to know

Outside main corridors, fuel stations can be 200+ km apart and may only take cash. Carry a jerry can and extra water on cross-country routes.

Money

Tenge cash, fuel ~0.45 EUR/litre

Good to know

Currency is the Kazakhstani tenge (KZT); petrol is roughly 230 KZT (~0.45 EUR) per litre: among the cheapest in the region. Cards work in cities but carry cash for rural fuel stations.

Declare cash over 10,000 USD at border

Required

Amounts equivalent to over 10,000 USD in cash or instruments must be declared to customs on entry and exit. Emergency number is 112.

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Drive on the right

Required

Traffic drives on the right, overtake on the left. Right turn on red is prohibited unless a green arrow is shown.

Speed limits 110 / 90 / 60 km/h

Required

Motorway 110 km/h (some sections signed 140), rural roads 90 km/h, urban areas 60 km/h. Speed cameras are widespread and fines arrive at the rental company.

Zero-tolerance alcohol limit

Required

BAC limit is 0.00 g/L: any detectable alcohol means a large fine and licence suspension. Do not drink anything before driving.

Dipped headlights on outside urban areas

Required

Dipped headlights or DRLs are mandatory at all times on roads outside city limits, and for all vehicles between 1 Nov and 1 Apr.