Driving in Armenia vs. Poland: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the distinct regulations of road travel, Armenia and Poland showcase notable variations that impact drivers' experiences. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and the use of traffic signals. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a safe and smooth journey in either country, enhancing your overall driving confidence abroad.
Lanes
| Armenia | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for temporary markings, such as during road works. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' on the road. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| 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.
poland:
Used for temporary markings, such as during road works.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
armenia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
poland:
Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
armenia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
poland:
Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads.
Bus Lanes: Usage
armenia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
poland:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified.
Bus Lanes: Markings
armenia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
poland:
Labeled 'BUS' on the road.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
armenia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
poland:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
armenia:
No
poland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
armenia:
N/A
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Armenia | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation. |
Urban Areas: Standard
armenia:
40-60 km/h
poland:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
armenia:
90 km/h
poland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
armenia:
110 km/h
poland:
140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
armenia:
90 km/h
poland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
armenia:
90 km/h
poland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
armenia:
No
poland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
armenia:
N/A
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
armenia:
Common
poland:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation.
Signals
| Armenia | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Armenia | Signals a change to green is imminent. |
| Use Of Indicators: Mandatory | Yes, for all turns and lane changes | Yes, for all turns and lane changes. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Armenian; symbols are standard | Polish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular with red border. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
armenia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
poland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
armenia:
Not used in Armenia
poland:
Signals a change to green is imminent.
Use Of Indicators: Mandatory
armenia:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes
poland:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
armenia:
Signal when exiting
poland:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Allowed
armenia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
poland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
armenia:
Unnecessary use discouraged
poland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
Horn Usage: Penalties
armenia:
Fines may apply for misuse
poland:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
armenia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
poland:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
armenia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
poland:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
armenia:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
poland:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
armenia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
poland:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
armenia:
Armenian; symbols are standard
poland:
Polish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
armenia:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
poland:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
armenia:
Triangular-shaped with red border
poland:
Triangular with red border.
Turns
| Armenia | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed only if a green arrow is present. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
armenia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
poland:
Allowed only if a green arrow is present.
Left Turn: General
armenia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
poland:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
armenia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
poland:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
armenia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
poland:
Varies by location; check for signs.
Special Turn Lanes
armenia:
Yes, marked with arrows
poland:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
armenia:
Prohibited
poland:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Armenia | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory every year. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Displayed on windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Requirement
armenia:
Valid driver's license required
poland:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
armenia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
poland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
armenia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
poland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit.
Insurance
armenia:
Liability insurance mandatory
poland:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
armenia:
Annual inspection required
poland:
Mandatory every year.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
armenia:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
poland:
Displayed on windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
armenia:
Mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
armenia:
Mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Armenia | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
armenia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
poland:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
armenia:
Discouraged, fines may apply
poland:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
armenia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
poland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
armenia:
Discouraged and may be penalized
poland:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
armenia:
Only in emergency situations
poland:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
armenia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
poland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
Pedestrians Priority
armenia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
poland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
armenia:
Pull over and stop if necessary
poland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
armenia:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
poland:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Armenia | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used frequently. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
armenia:
0.04%
poland:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
armenia:
0.02%
poland:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
armenia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
poland:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
armenia:
Check if medication affects driving ability
poland:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
armenia:
Common
poland:
Common; checkpoints used frequently.
Enforcement: Fines
armenia:
Varies; can be substantial
poland:
Varies; can be substantial.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
armenia:
Possible for severe offenses
poland:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
armenia:
Can result in license suspension
poland:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Armenia | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
armenia:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
poland:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
armenia:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
poland:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
armenia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
poland:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
armenia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
poland:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
armenia:
Use for first exit or straight
poland:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
armenia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
poland:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Armenia | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 104 | 997 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 981 or through your insurance provider. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Contact: General Emergency
armenia:
911
poland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
armenia:
104
poland:
997
Contact: Roadside Assistance
armenia:
Check with your insurance provider
poland:
981 or through your insurance provider.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
armenia:
Mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
armenia:
Mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.
Penalties And Fines
| Armenia | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines and points on license | Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; fines apply | Mandatory, fines apply. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applied | Fines apply for use without hands-free device. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applied, points on license | Fines and license points apply. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Rare; usually paid online or by mail. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
armenia:
Varies; fines and points on license
poland:
Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles.
Common Fines: Alcohol
armenia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
poland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
armenia:
Varies; fines apply
poland:
Mandatory, fines apply.
Common Fines: Phone Use
armenia:
Fines applied
poland:
Fines apply for use without hands-free device.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
armenia:
Fines applied, points on license
poland:
Fines and license points apply.
Payment: On The Spot
armenia:
Common
poland:
Rare; usually paid online or by mail.
Payment: Deadline
armenia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
poland:
Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
armenia:
Same as residents; must be paid
poland:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
armenia:
Possible if fines are not paid
poland:
Possible if fines are not paid.