Kyrgyzstan

Drive in Kyrgyzstan

You can drive in Kyrgyzstan on a UK or International Driving Licence.

Service stations and petrol/water access can be limited outside the cities of Bishkek and Osh. Make sure you take all you need for your journey. Extra care should be taken when driving in Kyrgyzstan as a significant proportion of cars are not safely maintained and do not have rear seatbelts. We advise against using local buses and/or mini-buses as maintenance of these vehicles are not always properly observed.

The roads are poorly maintained with roadworks or damaged roads often not clearly signposted. Roads outside the capital are often blocked by snow during the winter months.

Most of the Kyrgyz Republic’s road infrastructure consists of two-lane roads, which are all in various states of disrepair, and are poorly marked and lit. Many local drivers tend to disobey fundamental traffic laws such as not stopping at red lights, driving while intoxicated, or passing vehicles when it is extremely dangerous or prohibited to do so. As a result, driving can be very dangerous. Accidents involving severe injury and/or death are not uncommon. In the event of an accident where there is injury, emergency medical assistance may be very slow. Even if medical assistance does arrive in a timely manner, treatment and facilities available at local clinics may not be sufficient to stabilize a patient.

Drivers must exercise particular caution to avoid uneven pavement, potholes and open drains, and manholes. Night driving should be avoided, as roads are inadequately lit. In winter, roads are seldom plowed and ice and snow make the poor driving conditions even more hazardous. Pedestrians routinely walk in the road, often wearing dark clothes at night, necessitating even greater caution for drivers. Mountain roads in the Kyrgyz Republic are often narrow and treacherous, and may close without notice due to snow, ice, or rockslides. Guardrails and barriers preventing falling rocks are often missing. The Kyrgyz Republic does not have a roadside assistance infrastructure. Towing companies do not exist. Although mechanics are available in cities there is little organized oversight or certification of their practices or abilities. Rest areas are infrequent and very primitive. Service stations are generally available in and near cities, but the fuel they provide may be adulterated or of poor quality.

The road between Almaty, Kazakhstan and Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, is especially treacherous at night or during poor weather. Travelers have been killed in traffic accidents on that road, and travel at night is not recommended.

Generally, speed limits are 60 km per hour in the cities and 90 km per hour in rural areas. Kyrgyz law mandates that all automobile passengers wear seat belts and that motorcycle riders wear helmets. International driving permits are recognized in the Kyrgyz Republic.

According to Kyrgyz law, payment for traffic fines is to be made at local banks rather than directly to the traffic police.

The Kyrgyz Republic has a "zero tolerance" policy for driving under the influence of alcohol.