Driving in Kazakhstan with a foreign licence: how long it is valid, the international driving permit and exchange after a residence card

A foreigner temporarily staying in Kazakhstan may drive on their national licence if it meets the requirements of the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, or on a national licence together with an international driving permit (IDP). There is no fixed day limit for temporary visitors — what matters is that you are lawfully in the country and the licence is valid. Things change once you receive a residence card (permanent residence): under the Rules for issuing driving licences, a foreign licence ceases to be valid 60 days after that date and must be exchanged for a Kazakhstan licence.

Legal basis

Article 73 of the Law "On Road Traffic" allows foreigners residing or temporarily staying in Kazakhstan to drive on national, foreign or international licences, subject to established conditions. The key condition is compliance with international treaties, above all the 1968 Vienna Convention, to which Kazakhstan is a party.

The Convention requires a national licence to contain a standard set of data (surname, first name, categories, dates, number) with entries in Latin characters. If your licence does not, you need a translation in the form of an international driving permit.

In practice, recognition is decided by the officer at the roadside or the rental company clerk, so the more standard the document, the fewer problems. The licence must be valid on the date of the trip and the category must match the vehicle: a category B licence does not entitle you to drive a truck or a motorcycle. Also check restrictions printed on the licence itself (for example, mandatory glasses or automatic only) — they apply in Kazakhstan too.

Temporary stay: visa, visa-free, RVP

International driving permit

An IDP is not a standalone document but a translation of your national licence in the Convention format. It:

• is issued in the country that issued your national licence, before you travel;
• is valid only together with the national licence;
• under the Vienna Convention (as amended in 2011) is valid for no more than three years and not beyond the national licence.

If your country is not a party to the Vienna Convention (China, for example), your national licence may not be recognised without an additional basis, and international permits are generally not issued there. Check your country's status in the UN register before travelling.

Citizens of the EAEU, China, Turkey and India

• EAEU (Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan). The EAEU Treaty simplifies employment (Art. 97) but has no special rule on driving licences. Licences from Vienna Convention countries are used under the general rules, and once you receive a Kazakhstan residence card the same 60-day period applies.
• China. In September 2026 Kazakhstan and China announced an agreement on mutual recognition and issue of national driving licences. The procedure and date of entry into force had not been published at the time of writing — check before you travel.
• Turkey and India. Get an IDP at home before departure: it removes any question about recognition of your national licence at a police check.

Exchanging a foreign licence after receiving a residence card

The exchange is done at a specialised Public Service Centre for drivers. Under the Rules for driving tests and issuing licences, you need:

1. the original foreign driving licence;
2. an identity document (for a foreigner with permanent residence — the residence card);
3. medical certificate form 073/u (a GP plus addiction-medicine and psychiatric clearances);
4. proof of payment of the state fee;
5. a passed theory test on the traffic rules.

The test is taken on a computer; according to applicants, it is available in Kazakh, Russian and English. Prepare in advance: the questions are based on Kazakhstan's traffic rules, and retakes cost time. In practice, drivers with foreign licences are sometimes referred to a full driving school course — usually because of problems confirming the licence's authenticity or categories — so carrying a notarised translation of your licence helps.

If exchange is not possible: a Kazakhstan licence from scratch

Exchange does not work for everyone: a foreign licence may have expired, its categories may not match Kazakhstan's, or its authenticity may be hard to confirm. In that case the general route remains — driving school training and both the theory and practical tests at the specialised CSC, on the same terms as citizens. This takes longer and costs more, so if your licence is close to expiry, renew it at home before you move.

Police checks and accidents

At a document check, show your passport with visa or status document, your national licence and, if you have one, the IDP. If the licence is not in Latin script, a notarised translation into Kazakh or Russian helps clear questions faster.

In an accident, compulsory motor third-party liability insurance (OGPO VTS) is what matters. If you drive someone else's or a rented car, check that the policy covers any driver or that you are listed as a driver. If your right to drive turns out to be invalid — for example, you drove on a foreign licence on day 70 after receiving a residence card — the insurer will pay the victims but may claim the amount back from you.

Renting a car

Rental companies in Almaty and Astana usually accept foreign licences with an IDP and often require one to two years of driving experience and a card deposit. Check in advance:

• whether your country's licence is accepted without an IDP;
• who is covered by the OGPO policy and whether there is comprehensive (KASKO) cover;
• whether you may take the car outside the region or the country.

Common mistakes

• Missing the 60 days after the residence card. The period runs from the date you receive the card, not from entry; from day 61 you are driving on an invalid licence.
• Driving without an IDP on a non-standard licence. Even if the police let you go, after an accident the insurer may question your right to drive.
• Renting a car without checking the terms. Rental companies often require an IDP and a minimum driving record.
• Confusing the licence with registering the car. A car on foreign plates is a separate topic: temporary import and registration follow EAEU customs rules.

Timing and cost

• Medical certificate 073/u — usually 1–2 days.
• Theory test and licence issue at the specialised CSC — typically in one visit if you pass first time.
• State fee for issuing the licence — at rates set by the Tax Code; confirm the exact amount at the CSC on the day.

Licence exchange is tied to your migration status: the 60 days start when you receive the residence card, so it is sensible to plan the medical certificate and test alongside your permanent residence application. Visa Navigator handles temporary residence permits and permanent residence and will tell you when to start the licence exchange so you are not left without the right to drive. Status decisions are made by the internal affairs bodies, licence decisions by the specialised CSC. If you are relocating with your family, see also moving to Kazakhstan with your family.

This material is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. Rules and practice change — verify the current requirements as of the date you apply.