Driving in Croatia vs. Russia: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Croatia and Russia, distinct regulations and practices impact your driving experience. From speed limits to lane usage, key variations exist, such as Croatia’s stricter alcohol limits compared to Russia’s. Understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a secure journey abroad, making informed choices while traveling in these diverse landscapes.
Lanes
| Croatia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
croatia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
croatia:
Not commonly practiced.
russia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
croatia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
croatia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
croatia:
N/A
russia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
croatia:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Croatia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
croatia:
50 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
croatia:
30 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
croatia:
80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
80 km/h
russia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
130 km/h
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
croatia:
90 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
croatia:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
croatia:
Yes
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Croatia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Russia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Croatian; symbols are standard | Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
croatia:
Not used
russia:
Not used in Russia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
croatia:
Signal when entering and exiting
russia:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
croatia:
Croatian; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
croatia:
Triangle with red border
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Croatia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
croatia:
Not allowed
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
croatia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Croatia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens | 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 windshield | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
croatia:
Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
croatia:
International Driving Permit required
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
croatia:
Annual inspection required
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
croatia:
Displayed on windshield
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
croatia:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Croatia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.035% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, especially in cities |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
croatia:
0.05%
russia:
0.035%
Enforcement: Random Checks
croatia:
Common
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Enforcement: Fines
croatia:
Can be substantial
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Croatia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 92 | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
croatia:
92
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
croatia:
188 or check with your insurance provider
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
croatia:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Croatia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines possible | Varies; substantial fines |
| 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 | Significant fines | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; stated at the time of fine | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
croatia:
Varies; significant fines possible
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
croatia:
Fines enforced
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
croatia:
Fines enforced
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
croatia:
Significant fines
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
croatia:
Yes, often
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
croatia:
Varies; stated at the time of fine
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay