Driving in Georgia vs. Russia: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Georgia and Russia, understanding their unique traffic regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and documentation requirements. Whether it's the different approaches to bus lanes or the nuances in alcohol limits, being informed can significantly enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Georgia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. |
| 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or three occupants | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
georgia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Bus Lanes: Usage
georgia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
georgia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
georgia:
Yes
russia:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
georgia:
Minimum two or three occupants
russia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Georgia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-40 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
georgia:
30-50 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
georgia:
20-40 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
georgia:
80-100 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
georgia:
80-100 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
georgia:
80 km/h
russia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
georgia:
110-120 km/h
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
georgia:
100-110 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
georgia:
90-100 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
georgia:
Yes
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Georgia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Russia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Georgian; symbols are standard | Russian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
georgia:
Not used
russia:
Not used in Russia
Traffic Signs: Language
georgia:
Georgian; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Georgia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
georgia:
Varies by location; check for signs
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Georgia | 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 | Required; proof may be required | 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 | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
georgia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
georgia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
georgia:
Required; proof may be required
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
georgia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
georgia:
Recommended
russia:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Georgia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.035% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common, especially in cities |
Limits: General Drivers
georgia:
0.03%
russia:
0.035%
Enforcement: Random Checks
georgia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Emergency Services
| Georgia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
georgia:
112
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
georgia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
georgia:
Recommended
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Georgia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 80 to 500 GEL | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 50 GEL | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 10 GEL | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | 200 GEL | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; but usually paid later | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
georgia:
Varies; 80 to 500 GEL
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
georgia:
50 GEL
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
georgia:
10 GEL
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
georgia:
200 GEL
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
georgia:
Possible; but usually paid later
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
georgia:
Varies; typically within 30 days
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay