Driving in Russia guide

The road rules and regulations in Russia are totally different from European countries. But driving in Russia can be something distracting when drivers face traffic jams, poor road maintenance, and random police inspections. Sometimes there is also a poor road safety record in comparison to the other European countries.

In this article we are going to provide you with a full guide on the road rules in Russia:

Here’s what you need to know before you get behind the wheel in Russia:

who can drive in Russia?;
who needs a Russian driving license?;
requirements for driving in Russia;
road and car taxes in Russia;
toll roads in Russia;
car insurance in Russia;
vehicle inspections in Russia;
traffic rules in Russia;
general speed limits in Russia;
Russian drivers;
parking your car in Russia;
importing a car to Russia;
car rental in Russia;
buying a car in Russia;
tips for driving in Russia.

Who can drive in Russia?

It is possible to use your foreign license with a translation it in Russian if you stay in Russia for less than six months. If you are driving in Russia you should show an International Driving Permit with your foreign license. In your home country you can apply for an International Driving Permit to get its translation into 9 languages.

If you are going to become a Russian resident you will have to exchange your foreign license for a Russian driving license within two months of receiving Russian residency.

You will also need to meet the following rules to drive at the roads: 18 years for cars and 16 years for motorcycles. You will not be able to start drive in Russia below this age even if you have a foreign license.

Who needs a Russian driving license?

You will get an important info from your local State Road Traffic Safety Inspectorate GIBDD to apply for a Russian driving license. In big cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg you will have to provide the following info like:

your passport;
your Russian visa;
a medical certificate;
your foreign driving license;
a photo of license signed by a notary.

You will need to take a Russian theory test in case of valid foreign license. But in case of expired foreign license you will have to pass the practical driving exam too. In Russia this is cheaper than in Europe. But both the theoretical and the practicle tests will be in Russian languages.

Requirements for driving in Russia

The State Inspection for the Safety of Road Traffic (GIBDD) is Russia’s traffic police division, but Russians simply call it GAI. When driving in Russia, you are often stopped to check that you have the appropriate documents and that they are up to date.

That is also impossible to drink on the roads in Russia. Alcohol checks are usual on weekends and Monday mornings. There are also a lot of cases when saliva tests are used to find drugs used.

When it comes to the road rules you need to follow the next ones:

a warning triangle;
headlight beam deflectors;
first-aid kit;
fire extinguisher;
spare light bulbs.

If you are on the road in Russia you need to carry the following:

your Russian driving license or international driving permit;
proof of auto insurance in Russia;
passport;
proof of vehicle ownership.

If you do not have these docs then you will get a fine.

Road and car taxes in Russia

An annual vehicle tax is ranging in Russia from city to city. The taxes are going to the Federal Tax Service of Russia. For instance, in big cities the price depends on the engine power of your car. The fees are like this:

100 horsepower automobile: 700 rubles;
120 horsepower automobile: 2,400 rubles;
200 horsepower automobile: 12,000 rubles;
300 horsepower automobile: 45,000 rubles.

Toll roads in Russia

Toll roads in Russia are normally new and rare. The payment for the Lipetsk Highway from Moscow to Novorossiysk charges 10 rubles and you will have to pay it in cash. But sometimes it is possible to pay by card on those roads. Please take some cash with you when you drive in Russia.

Car insurance in Russia

Since 2003, every car owner in Russia must have an insurance policy that covers at least third-party liability. However, the coverage of compulsory basic car insurance in Russia is not very comprehensive. Drivers may want to consider adding voluntary car insurance to supplement their coverage to include the driver.

Vehicle inspections in Russia

From time to time cars in Russia have to be technically inspected. When it comes to the requirements for driving in Russia the vehicles between 3 and 7 years old have to be inspected every two years but the older cars should be inspected yearly. Moreover, you will need to have a Russian – speaking translator to understand how the inspection was conducted in Russian. After finishing the tests you will receive the inspection card to carry it in the car all the time. If the inspection is not done on time you will receive a fine or your vehicle will be confiscated.

Traffic rules in Russia

Here are some of the main traffic rules in Russia:

you must drive on the right-hand side of the road;
the driver and all passengers must wear seatbelts;
using your mobile when driving is illegal (without a hands-free kit);
picking up hitchhikers is illegal;
turning right at a red light is only possible if there is a filter system;
it is prohibited to turn left in large towns other than at crossings with lights;
crossing a solid double-white line is illegal;
it’s illegal to drive a dirty car;
traffic coming from the right has priority at roundabouts;
only use the horn in towns if there is immediate danger;
children under the age of 12 can’t travel in the front seat of a car without a child seat.

General speed limits in Russia

There are different speed limits that depend on the vehicle you are driving and the place you are driving in. Those are the following:

for motorcycles and cars under 3,5 tonnes – 60 km/h in built-up areas;
for motorcycles and cars under 3,5 tonnes – 110km/h on expressways and other roads;
for larger vehicles and those with trailers – 90km/h on expressways;

– for larger vehicles and those with trailers – 70km/h on other roads;

– for all the vehicles – 20 km/h in the residential places.

For unserious violation there is a fine to pay it through a bank and no fine to pay it for cash. For serious violation there is a temporary confiscation of you car before a court decision. If you pay your fine on time then you will get a discount on your fine.

Russian drivers

There are a lot of car accidents in Russia which put down to the bad driving things, narrow roads, and fast Russian drivers. Russian drivers are the bad drivers having weaving in and out of traffic, fast speeds, and disrespect for road rules. Sometimes bribes are also accepted for passing the Russian driving test. Thus, many Russian drivers disrespect road rules. Over the time, driving conditions have become severer to make the road safety better and also the skills of the drivers on the road.

Parking your car in Russia

Although there are large parking lots in Moscow, most street parking in Moscow is paid for by meters. When parking in Moscow, you generally have to park on the right side of the road, in the direction of traffic. In some city areas and on one-way streets, you can also park on the left side. The letter P and the wheelchair symbol are commonly used to indicate a disabled parking space. Different parking systems are available throughout Russia depending on the size of the city or town.

You cannot park closer than 5 meters from an intersection or crosswalk, on turns, or closer than 50 meters from a railway crossing. If you are caught parking illegally in Russia, you will either be given an on-the-spot fine or your wheels may be blocked.

Importing a Car to Russia

Unless you’re a foreign diplomat, importing a car to Russia can be expensive and hasslesome. In many cases, your removal company will have a hard time helping with customs clearance, and you may have to pay high import duties. Check Expatica’s list of removal companies in Moscow that can help with importing your car from abroad.

Car Rental in Russia

Car rental from a local agency is sometimes cheaper, although you are less likely to find someone who speaks English. For more language options or services you are familiar with, you may want to consider renting a car through a European or international company.

To rent a car in Russia, you will generally need to be at least 21 years old and have held a Russian or foreign driver’s license for at least a year. Those under 25 may also be required to pay a young driver surcharge.

Buying a car in Russia

There are a lot of opportunities to buy a car in Russia but this is a hard task for foreigners. This is just because your car should be registered for your visa. When you renew your visa then you have to deregister and reregister your car. Another option is to register your car in the name of your Russian friend and he should hire the lawyer to drive it.

Please use a good car dealership and know it is difficult to export the car back to your home country. Then you should register your car through GIBDD making it a difficult thing. Also you can attract a third-party company but this will cost you a lot of money. When you handed in your application you need to pay fee of 2000 rubles to register your car officially.

Tips for driving in Russia

Any foreigner who is going to drive in Moscow should know that Moscow has three main rings – the MKAD, Garden Ring, and Third Ring. There are a lot of traffic jams on the roads especially during the rush hour. Remember that road signs and names here in Russian.