Azerbaijan vs Russia: Driving Rules You Must Know
Azerbaijan and Russia showcase distinct driving regulations that impact safety on their roads. While both countries enforce speed limits and documentation requirements, Azerbaijan emphasizes strict lane usage, whereas Russia prioritizes bus lane accessibility. Understanding these nuances is essential for a secure and smooth journey across these neighboring nations.
Lanes
| Azerbaijan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the center on undivided roads. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | In some cases, such as if the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved primarily for buses and sometimes other public transport vehicles. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked by road signs. | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
azerbaijan:
Marks the center on undivided roads.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
azerbaijan:
In some cases, such as if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
russia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
azerbaijan:
Reserved primarily for buses and sometimes other public transport vehicles.
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
azerbaijan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked by road signs.
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
azerbaijan:
Limited
russia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
azerbaijan:
Mainly in major cities and occasionally shared with bus lanes.
russia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
azerbaijan:
N/A
russia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
azerbaijan:
Limited
russia:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
azerbaijan:
Often designated for buses and public transport.
russia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Azerbaijan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 110 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common practice; fines can also be mailed. | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
azerbaijan:
40-60 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
azerbaijan:
90 km/h
russia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
azerbaijan:
Common practice; fines can also be mailed.
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Azerbaijan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Azerbaijan | Not used in Russia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Azerbaijani; symbols are standard | Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
azerbaijan:
Not used in Azerbaijan
russia:
Not used in Russia
Traffic Signs: Language
azerbaijan:
Azerbaijani; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
azerbaijan:
Triangle-shaped with red border
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Azerbaijan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed, unless a green arrow is shown | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
azerbaijan:
Generally not allowed, unless a green arrow is shown
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
azerbaijan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Azerbaijan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | 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 | Annual technical inspection required | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Provided upon successful inspection | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| 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
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
azerbaijan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
azerbaijan:
Annual technical inspection required
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
azerbaijan:
Provided upon successful inspection
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
azerbaijan:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Azerbaijan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
azerbaijan:
Moderate use compared to some countries
russia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Azerbaijan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.035% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasional; fines and penalties apply | Common, especially in cities |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
azerbaijan:
0.03%
russia:
0.035%
Limits: Underage Drivers
azerbaijan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
russia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
azerbaijan:
Occasional; fines and penalties apply
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Enforcement: Fines
azerbaijan:
Can be substantial
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Azerbaijan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 102 | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Call your insurance provider or local service | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
azerbaijan:
102
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
azerbaijan:
Call your insurance provider or local service
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
azerbaijan:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Azerbaijan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant depending on excess speed | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Significant fines | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Significant fines, possible license points | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; and fines can also be paid online or by mail | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
azerbaijan:
Varies; can be significant depending on excess speed
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
azerbaijan:
Significant fines
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
azerbaijan:
Significant fines, possible license points
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
azerbaijan:
Significant fines, points on license
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
azerbaijan:
Possible; and fines can also be paid online or by mail
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
azerbaijan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay