Restrictions Depend on Temperature and Time
Kazakhstan’s national road operator, QazAvtoJol, has reminded freight carriers and truck owners about seasonal restrictions applying to heavy vehicles on public roads of national importance.
The rules cover vehicles with a single-axle load exceeding eight tonnes. They apply only when the air temperature rises above +25°C and only during the hours established for each region.
The measure is therefore not a complete summer ban on truck traffic. Heavy vehicles may travel outside the restricted hours. The seasonal rule also does not apply when the temperature is +25°C or lower, although standard weight and dimension limits remain in force at all times.
Northern and Central Restrictions Run Until August 15
From June 1 to August 15, affected heavy vehicles are restricted between 11:00 and 21:00 whenever temperatures exceed +25°C.
The rules apply in Abai Region and the Akmola, Aktobe, East Kazakhstan, West Kazakhstan, Karaganda, Kostanay, Pavlodar and North Kazakhstan regions.
Outside these hours, trucks may operate normally provided they comply with general vehicle-weight and axle-load requirements. The annual timetable and regional structure are established by Kazakhstan’s official rules governing temporary road-traffic restrictions.
Southern and Western Restrictions Continue Until August 31
A longer period applies in the country’s warmer regions.
From June 1 to August 31, restrictions operate between 10:00 and 22:00 when the temperature exceeds +25°C in the Almaty, Atyrau, Zhambyl, Kyzylorda, Mangystau and Turkistan regions, as well as the Zhetysu and Ulytau regions.
The longer timetable reflects local climate conditions. High temperatures in southern and western Kazakhstan generally last for more hours each day and continue later into the summer.
Carriers can check current road conditions and restrictions through QazAvtoJol’s situation centre or by contacting the 1403 road-information service.
Why High Temperatures Affect Heavy Transport
As temperatures rise, asphalt concrete heats up and becomes more vulnerable to pressure from heavy vehicles.
High axle loads can create rutting, surface displacement, depressions and other premature deformation. Damage is particularly likely on roads with intensive truck traffic, near intersections, on gradients and in braking zones.
Restricting the heaviest vehicles during the hottest part of the day shifts transport activity to periods when the pavement is cooler and more resistant.
The measure is intended to extend the service life of national roads and reduce the need for premature repairs.
A Separate Limit Applies on the Astana–Petropavl Road
A special rule applies to the A-1 Astana–Petropavl via Kokshetau road between kilometres 68 and 196.
The section has stone-mastic asphalt pavement. When temperatures exceed +25°C, vehicles carrying more than nine tonnes on a single axle are restricted.
This threshold differs from the general eight-tonne limit because of the technical characteristics of the road surface. The separate requirement is included in Kazakhstan’s national temporary traffic-restriction rules.
Gross Vehicle Weight Must Also Be Recalculated
Carriers must consider more than the load on a single axle.
Kazakhstan’s regulations set separate limits for tandem, tridem and other axle groups, taking account of axle spacing and wheel configuration. During the seasonal restriction period, the permitted gross vehicle weight is calculated with a 20% reduction from the standard parameters.
A truck that complies with ordinary weight limits may therefore become overweight during restricted summer hours.
Operators should check the cargo’s actual weight, its distribution between the tractor and semi-trailer, and the load imposed on every axle group.
Updated rules for dangerous, oversized and heavy transport have also applied since April 25, 2026. They revised axle-load standards, introduced the concept of closely spaced axle groups and changed the special-permit procedure.
International Transport Is Exempt
The summer restrictions do not apply to vehicles carrying out international freight or passenger transport under international agreements.
Exemptions also cover vehicles transporting perishable food, passengers and baggage, dangerous goods and humanitarian aid.
Emergency-response vehicles, military transport and equipment used for officially contracted road-construction work may also continue operating.
An exemption from the seasonal timetable does not remove the carrier’s obligation to comply with general vehicle dimensions, technical requirements and road-safety rules.
Heavy Transport May Require a Special Permit
Under Kazakhstan’s updated regulations, oversized and heavy-haul operations during temporary restriction periods are permitted only with a special authorisation.
Applications are processed through the country’s electronic government portal. Permits may remain valid for up to 45 calendar days for no more than five trips, up to 90 days for six to ten trips, and up to six months for a larger number of journeys.
Carriers should distinguish between a special heavy-transport permit and an exemption from seasonal restrictions. An international consignment note or special cargo category does not automatically authorise a vehicle to exceed applicable weight limits.
Route Planning Must Include Weather Forecasts
Transport companies should monitor expected temperatures along the entire route rather than only at the point of departure.
A truck may begin its journey during permitted hours but enter another region after the daytime restriction has started. Differences between the northern and southern timetables also affect long-distance transit operations.
When temperatures exceed +25°C, operators should schedule the vehicle to pass the relevant road section before the restricted period or arrange a suitable waiting location.
Drivers must also comply with working- and rest-time requirements while waiting for restrictions to end.
Violations Can Delay Deliveries
Vehicle weights are checked at fixed and mobile control points and through automated weighing systems.
Where an excess is detected, the vehicle may be stopped until the violation is corrected. The carrier may need to redistribute or partially unload the cargo, change the route or obtain a special permit.
In addition to administrative penalties, violations can create significant operational costs, including truck downtime, missed delivery slots and additional cargo-handling work.
Seasonal weight restrictions should therefore be considered at the loading and route-planning stage rather than only when the truck reaches a weighing checkpoint.
Kazakhstan remains one of Eurasia’s main road-transit markets. K2Cargo.News previously reported that the country is strengthening support for international road carriers while continuing to update rules governing access to its transport infrastructure.
Read also: Europe Introduces Summer Truck Driving Restrictions for 2026
