Driving Differences: Austria vs. Russia Explained
Exploring the contrasts between Austria and Russia reveals fascinating insights into their unique road regulations and safety measures. Key distinctions such as speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance highlight the diverse driving environments. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and responsible experience while navigating the roads of these two countries.
Lanes
| Austria | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
russia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
russia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
russia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
austria:
50 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
austria:
30 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
austria:
100 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Austria | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used in Russia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
russia:
Not used in Russia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
russia:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Austria | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Austria | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Austria | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.035% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, especially in cities |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
austria:
0.05%
russia:
0.035%
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
russia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
russia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Austria | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay