Driving Differences: Bolivia vs. Russia Uncovered
When comparing road regulations and driving practices in Bolivia and Russia, distinct disparities emerge. From speed limits and lane usage to emergency protocols, each country showcases unique approaches to vehicular navigation. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and smooth travel experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bolivia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bolivia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
russia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bolivia:
N/A
russia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bolivia:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 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, not commonly used | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued immediately | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bolivia:
30 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bolivia:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
russia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Bolivia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Not used in Russia |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish | Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
russia:
Not used in Russia
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
russia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
russia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bolivia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bolivia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bolivia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
russia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
russia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.035% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | Common, especially in cities |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bolivia:
0.05%
russia:
0.035%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
russia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bolivia:
911
russia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay