International Driving Permit for Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan drives on the right across one of the largest, most sprawling countries on earth, where distances between towns can be vast and roads vary from modern highways to remote steppe tracks. An IDP is generally required because the national licence is issued in Kazakh and Russian, and police may request it at checks. Long-distance journeys demand fuel planning, spare supplies, and caution on unlit rural stretches at night.

Do you need an IDP to drive in Kazakhstan?

Required

Foreign visitors generally need an International Driving Permit to drive in Kazakhstan, as local authorities expect an IDP alongside a licence not issued in Cyrillic or Kazakh.

Driving side: Right
Minimum driving age: 18 years
Region: Asia
IDP: Required

Local languages: Kazakh, Russian

Driving in Kazakhstan: key facts

Kazakhstan enforces a strict zero or near-zero blood alcohol limit, with serious penalties for offenders.
Distances are enormous, fuel stations can be far apart in the steppe, and winter driving brings ice and extreme cold.
Headlights are typically required during the day, and seatbelts are mandatory for occupants.

How to get your IDP for Kazakhstan

Getting your International Driving Permit for Kazakhstan takes only a few minutes:

1
Apply online
Complete a short application in about 2 minutes — no paperwork or appointments.
2
Upload your documents
Add a photo of your national driving licence and a passport-style photo.
3
Get your IDP instantly
Receive your digital International Driving Permit by email, ready to use in Kazakhstan.

Frequently asked questions about driving in Kazakhstan

Do I need an IDP to drive in Kazakhstan?

Yes, visitors generally need an IDP together with their national licence, since the local licence is in Cyrillic and Kazakh and an IDP provides the recognised translation.

Can I rent a car in Kazakhstan with a foreign licence?

You can rent a car with a valid foreign licence, but agencies and police usually expect an accompanying IDP, especially for licences in non-Latin scripts other than Cyrillic.

What side of the road does Kazakhstan drive on?

Kazakhstan drives on the right-hand side of the road, using left-hand-drive vehicles.

What is the minimum age to rent a car in Kazakhstan?

The minimum driving age is 18, while rental firms often require drivers to be at least 21 or 23 and to have held a licence for a minimum period.

Other countries in Asia

Afghanistan Armenia Azerbaijan Bali Bangladesh Bhutan Brunei Darussalam Cambodia China Georgia Hong Kong India