Azerbaijan vs. India: Key Driving Differences Explained
Azerbaijan and India present intriguing contrasts in their road regulations and driving practices. While Azerbaijan drives on the right, India adheres to the left. Speed limits, lane usage, and vehicle priority vary significantly, impacting overall travel safety. Understanding these distinctions is essential for a secure and enjoyable experience on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Azerbaijan | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the center on undivided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | In some cases, such as if the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, but only when safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some metropolitan areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved primarily for buses and sometimes other public transport vehicles. | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked by road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, in some areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mainly in major cities and occasionally shared with bus lanes. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Often designated for buses and public transport. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
azerbaijan:
Right
india:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
azerbaijan:
Marks the center on undivided roads.
india:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
azerbaijan:
Yes
india:
No
Overtaking: On Right
azerbaijan:
In some cases, such as if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
azerbaijan:
Use rightmost lane.
india:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
azerbaijan:
Yes
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
azerbaijan:
Reserved primarily for buses and sometimes other public transport vehicles.
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
Bus Lanes: Markings
azerbaijan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked by road signs.
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
azerbaijan:
Limited
india:
Yes, in some areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
azerbaijan:
Mainly in major cities and occasionally shared with bus lanes.
india:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
azerbaijan:
N/A
india:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
azerbaijan:
Limited
india:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
azerbaijan:
Often designated for buses and public transport.
india:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
azerbaijan:
Yes
india:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
azerbaijan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
india:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Azerbaijan | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 60-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 110 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, in major cities and highways |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common practice; fines can also be mailed. | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
azerbaijan:
40-60 km/h
india:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
azerbaijan:
20 km/h
india:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
azerbaijan:
90 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
azerbaijan:
90 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
azerbaijan:
90 km/h
india:
60-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
india:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
india:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
azerbaijan:
Yes
india:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
azerbaijan:
Electronic signs display current limits
india:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
azerbaijan:
Yes
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
azerbaijan:
Common practice; fines can also be mailed.
india:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Azerbaijan | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Azerbaijan | Not used in India |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common due to varied vehicle conditions |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Azerbaijani; symbols are standard | English and local languages; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
azerbaijan:
Not used in Azerbaijan
india:
Not used in India
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
azerbaijan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
azerbaijan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
Traffic Signs: Language
azerbaijan:
Azerbaijani; symbols are standard
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
azerbaijan:
Triangle-shaped with red border
india:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Azerbaijan | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed, unless a green arrow is shown | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
azerbaijan:
Generally not allowed, unless a green arrow is shown
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
Left Turn: General
azerbaijan:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
U- Turns Allowed
azerbaijan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Azerbaijan | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual technical inspection required | Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Provided upon successful inspection | PUC sticker displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
azerbaijan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
azerbaijan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
azerbaijan:
Annual technical inspection required
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
azerbaijan:
Provided upon successful inspection
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
azerbaijan:
Mandatory
india:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
azerbaijan:
Mandatory
india:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Azerbaijan | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to other countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass |
Use Of Horn: Limited
azerbaijan:
Only in emergency situations
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
azerbaijan:
Moderate use compared to some countries
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
Pedestrians Priority
azerbaijan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
azerbaijan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
Alcohol
| Azerbaijan | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasional; fines and penalties apply | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies by state; fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Underage Drivers
azerbaijan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
india:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
azerbaijan:
Occasional; fines and penalties apply
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
Enforcement: Fines
azerbaijan:
Can be substantial
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
azerbaijan:
Can result in license suspension
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Azerbaijan | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
azerbaijan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
azerbaijan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Azerbaijan | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 102 | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Call your insurance provider or local service | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
azerbaijan:
102
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
Contact: Roadside Assistance
azerbaijan:
Call your insurance provider or local service
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
azerbaijan:
Mandatory
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
azerbaijan:
Mandatory
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Azerbaijan | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant depending on excess speed | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Significant fines | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Significant fines, possible license points | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, points on license | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; and fines can also be paid online or by mail | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
azerbaijan:
Varies; can be significant depending on excess speed
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
azerbaijan:
Significant fines
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
azerbaijan:
Significant fines, possible license points
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
azerbaijan:
Significant fines, points on license
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
azerbaijan:
Possible; and fines can also be paid online or by mail
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
Payment: Deadline
azerbaijan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay