Driving in Bhutan vs Russia: Key Differences Explained
Exploring the unique road rules of Bhutan and Russia reveals fascinating contrasts in traffic regulations and driving practices. From driving on different sides of the road to varying speed limits, each nation adopts distinct approaches to ensure traveler safety. Understanding these disparities will help ensure a smoother journey when navigating their diverse landscapes.
Lanes
| Bhutan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
bhutan:
Left
russia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
russia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
russia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bhutan:
Use leftmost lane.
russia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
russia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
russia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
russia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
russia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
russia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
russia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
russia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Bhutan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | Not used in Russia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Russian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
russia:
Not used in Russia
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Bhutan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
bhutan:
Not allowed
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bhutan | 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 vehicle inspection required | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
russia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
russia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
russia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.035% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common, especially in cities |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
russia:
0.035%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
russia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
russia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
russia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
russia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay