Driving in Belgium vs. Russia: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Belgium and Russia, drivers will encounter notable variances in regulations and practices. From lane markings to speed limits and alcohol tolerances, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a safe journey abroad. Discover how these two countries differ in their approach to road safety and navigation.
Lanes
| Belgium | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply. | 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
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
russia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
belgium:
Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads.
russia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belgium:
N/A
russia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Belgium | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are mailed to the driver | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
belgium:
30-50 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belgium:
30 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
russia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
120 km/h
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Belgium | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | Not used in Russia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard | Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
russia:
Not used in Russia
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Belgium | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific signage permits | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Belgium | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; national driving license sufficient | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Belgium | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.035% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Common, especially in cities |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
belgium:
0.05%
russia:
0.035%
Limits: Professional Drivers
belgium:
0.02%
russia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
belgium:
0.00%; zero tolerance
russia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Belgium | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Belgium | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine of around 50 EUR | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay