Driving Differences: Armenia vs. Azerbaijan
When navigating the roads of Armenia and Azerbaijan, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experience. From lane markings to speed limits and traffic signals, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. This comparison highlights key aspects that differentiate driving in these neighboring nations, helping travelers adapt confidently.
Lanes
| Armenia | Azerbaijan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the center on undivided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | In some cases, such as if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved primarily for buses and sometimes other public transport vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mainly in major cities and occasionally shared with bus lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Often designated for buses and public transport. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
armenia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
azerbaijan:
Marks the center on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
armenia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
azerbaijan:
In some cases, such as if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
armenia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
azerbaijan:
Reserved primarily for buses and sometimes other public transport vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
armenia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
azerbaijan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
armenia:
Yes
azerbaijan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
armenia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
azerbaijan:
Mainly in major cities and occasionally shared with bus lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
armenia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
azerbaijan:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
armenia:
No
azerbaijan:
Limited
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
armenia:
N/A
azerbaijan:
Often designated for buses and public transport.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
armenia:
No
azerbaijan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
armenia:
N/A
azerbaijan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Armenia | Azerbaijan | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Common practice; fines can also be mailed. |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
armenia:
70 km/h
azerbaijan:
90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
armenia:
90 km/h
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
armenia:
90 km/h
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
armenia:
No
azerbaijan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
armenia:
N/A
azerbaijan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
armenia:
Common
azerbaijan:
Common practice; fines can also be mailed.
Signals
| Armenia | Azerbaijan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Armenia | Not used in Azerbaijan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Armenian; symbols are standard | Azerbaijani; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
armenia:
Not used in Armenia
azerbaijan:
Not used in Azerbaijan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
armenia:
Unnecessary use discouraged
azerbaijan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
armenia:
Armenian; symbols are standard
azerbaijan:
Azerbaijani; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
armenia:
Triangular-shaped with red border
azerbaijan:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Armenia | Azerbaijan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally not allowed, unless a green arrow is shown |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
armenia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
azerbaijan:
Generally not allowed, unless a green arrow is shown
U- Turns Allowed
armenia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
azerbaijan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Armenia | Azerbaijan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Annual technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Provided upon successful inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
armenia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
azerbaijan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
armenia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
azerbaijan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
armenia:
Annual inspection required
azerbaijan:
Annual technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
armenia:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
azerbaijan:
Provided upon successful inspection
Road Etiquette
| Armenia | Azerbaijan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
armenia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
azerbaijan:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
armenia:
Pull over and stop if necessary
azerbaijan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Armenia | Azerbaijan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Occasional; fines and penalties apply |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
armenia:
0.04%
azerbaijan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
armenia:
0.02%
azerbaijan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
armenia:
0.00%
azerbaijan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
armenia:
Common
azerbaijan:
Occasional; fines and penalties apply
Enforcement: Fines
armenia:
Varies; can be substantial
azerbaijan:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Armenia | Azerbaijan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 104 | 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Call your insurance provider or local service |
Contact: General Emergency
armenia:
911
azerbaijan:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
armenia:
104
azerbaijan:
102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
armenia:
Check with your insurance provider
azerbaijan:
Call your insurance provider or local service
Penalties And Fines
| Armenia | Azerbaijan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines and points on license | Varies; can be significant depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; fines apply | Significant fines |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applied | Significant fines, possible license points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applied, points on license | Significant fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; and fines can also be paid online or by mail |
Common Fines: Speeding
armenia:
Varies; fines and points on license
azerbaijan:
Varies; can be significant depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
armenia:
Varies; fines apply
azerbaijan:
Significant fines
Common Fines: Phone Use
armenia:
Fines applied
azerbaijan:
Significant fines, possible license points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
armenia:
Fines applied, points on license
azerbaijan:
Significant fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
armenia:
Common
azerbaijan:
Possible; and fines can also be paid online or by mail