Driving in India vs. Russia: Key Differences Explained
When comparing the road rules of India and Russia, notable distinctions emerge in lane usage, speed regulations, and enforcement practices. India drives on the left, while Russia adheres to the right. Understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience in either country, so travelers can navigate confidently and responsibly.
Lanes
| India | 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, but only when safe. | 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 | Yes, in some metropolitan areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
india:
Left
russia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
india:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
india:
No
russia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
russia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
india:
Use leftmost lane.
russia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
russia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some areas
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
india:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| India | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 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 | Yes, in major cities and highways | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly used | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
india:
40-50 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
india:
30 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
60-80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
india:
60-80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-70 km/h
russia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
80-120 km/h
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
india:
80-100 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
india:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
russia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
india:
Yes, commonly used
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| India | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in India | Not used in Russia |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | More common due to varied vehicle conditions | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and local languages; 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
india:
Not used in India
russia:
Not used in Russia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
russia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
russia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
india:
Triangular with red border
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| India | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Left Turn: General
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
russia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| India | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | PUC sticker displayed on windshield | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory
russia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| India | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to other countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
russia:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
russia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
russia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
russia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| India | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.035% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used | Common, especially in cities |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; fines can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
india:
0.03%
russia:
0.035%
Enforcement: Random Checks
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Enforcement: Fines
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
russia:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| India | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
russia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
russia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| India | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
russia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| India | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay