Driving in Ireland vs. Russia: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Ireland and Russia, understanding their distinct traffic norms is essential for a secure journey. While Ireland adheres to left-side driving, Russia opts for the right. Notably, speed limits and overtaking rules vary significantly, emphasizing the importance of being informed to ensure a safe and smooth driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Ireland | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No, overtake on the right. | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, standard overtaking side. | 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: 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. |
Driving Side
ireland:
Left
russia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
russia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
russia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
russia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ireland:
Use leftmost lane.
russia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ireland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ireland:
N/A
russia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ireland:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Ireland | 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 | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 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 | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
ireland:
50 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ireland:
30 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
80-100 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ireland:
80-100 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
80-90 km/h
russia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
120 km/h
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ireland:
100 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ireland:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Ireland | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to turn green. | Not used in Russia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
russia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
russia:
Not used in Russia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
russia:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
russia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ireland | 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
ireland:
Not allowed
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Ireland | 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 | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
russia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
russia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ireland | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ireland:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
russia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ireland | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.035% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Random breath testing is common. | Common, especially in cities |
Limits: General Drivers
ireland:
0.05%
russia:
0.035%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ireland:
0.02%
russia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
russia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Emergency Services
| Ireland | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 or 999 | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
ireland:
112 or 999
russia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ireland:
112 or 999
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
russia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Ireland | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €60 fine and two penalty points | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €60 fine and three penalty points | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €80 and three penalty points | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
ireland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay