Driving in France vs. Russia: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of France and Russia, it's essential to understand their unique regulations and customs. From lane markings to speed limits, the two countries exhibit distinct guidelines. Notably, France enforces lower alcohol limits, while Russia permits overtaking on multi-lane roads. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can significantly enhance your travel safety and experience.
Lanes
| France | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
russia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
russia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
Speeds Limits
| France | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 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 | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
france:
50 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
france:
30 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
france:
80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
france:
80 km/h
russia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
130 km/h
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
france:
100 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| France | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in France | Not used in Russia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; symbols are standard | Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
france:
Not used in France
russia:
Not used in Russia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
russia:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
russia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| France | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
france:
Not allowed
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| France | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | 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, an MOT style test is required periodically | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
france:
Displayed on windshield
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
russia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
russia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| France | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
russia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
russia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| France | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.035% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common, especially in cities |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
france:
0.05%
russia:
0.035%
Limits: Professional Drivers
france:
0.02%
russia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| France | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
russia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| France | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| France | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
russia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay