New regulations introduced in Kazakhstan are set to reshape the landscape of traffic enforcement, particularly concerning mopeds and scooters. Effective April 5, 2025, these new rules will impose fines and penalties for traffic violations, bringing moped and scooter drivers under the same legal framework as other motor vehicle operators.
The amendments, which include a fine of 10 MRP (approximately 40,000 tenge) for actions such as waving from a vehicle or opening a door while driving, aim to enhance road safety. Both the driver and the passenger can be held accountable for these infractions. These changes were officially enacted on March 13, 2025, marking a significant shift in how traffic laws are enforced in the country.
According to reports from inbusiness.kz, the new legislation comes after years of a legal vacuum regarding mopeds and scooters. Starting on April 5, police will actively enforce traffic regulations for these vehicles, imposing administrative measures on drivers who violate the rules. This includes fines for traffic violations and the impounding of scooters that lack license plates or insurance.
Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan, has seen a troubling increase in accidents involving mopeds. In just the first three months of 2025, there were 178 recorded road accidents resulting in two fatalities and 182 injuries. This alarming trend follows a year in which 1,081 accidents involving mopeds occurred, leading to nearly 1,100 injuries and 17 deaths. The statistics from 2023 were less severe, with 533 accidents, 535 injuries, and 16 deaths, indicating a worrying upward trajectory in moped-related incidents.
Major Aydin Merkimbaev from the Almaty police department reported that around 3,000 mopeds are currently impounded due to serious traffic violations and accidents. He emphasized that the upcoming regulations will hold moped drivers fully accountable as participants in road traffic. "This primarily concerns violations such as running a red light and failing to yield to pedestrians," he explained. Additionally, there have been numerous complaints from residents regarding noise disturbances caused by moped riders during nighttime hours.
The police department is preparing for an influx of moped registrations as the deadline approaches. Currently, about 5,300 mopeds are officially registered in Almaty, but estimates suggest that around 50,000 mopeds are actually on the roads. With the new rules coming into effect, many owners are expected to rush to register their vehicles, potentially leading to long lines at registration centers.
Despite the new regulations, there are concerns that simply bringing moped drivers into the legal fold will not drastically improve road safety. Many moped riders, accustomed to operating without significant oversight, may transition to electric bicycles, which currently face minimal regulation. These electric bikes can achieve speeds comparable to mopeds, and their operation on sidewalks does not violate traffic laws, raising further safety concerns.
As the city braces for these changes, residents are left to navigate a complex and evolving traffic environment. The challenge remains for pedestrians, who must remain vigilant as they share sidewalks with both electric bicycles and mopeds. With the introduction of these new laws, the hope is to create a safer and more responsible driving culture on Kazakhstan's roads.
