Driving Differences: Italy vs. Russia Explained
When it comes to navigating the roads of Italy and Russia, understanding the distinct regulations and practices is crucial for ensuring your well-being while traveling. From varying speed limits to differing rules on alcohol consumption, these nations present unique challenges and guidelines that every driver should be aware of. Explore the essential contrasts that define driving in these two captivating countries.
Lanes
| Italy | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
russia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Usage
italy:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
italy:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
italy:
N/A
russia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Italy | 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 | 70 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 |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
italy:
50 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
italy:
30 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
italy:
80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
70 km/h
russia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
130 km/h
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
italy:
100 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Italy | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used; prepare to go when green appears | Not used in Russia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Italian; symbols are standard | Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
russia:
Not used in Russia
Traffic Signs: Language
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Italy | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Italy | 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 with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
italy:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
italy:
Displayed on license plate
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Italy | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.035% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common, especially in cities |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
italy:
0.05%
russia:
0.035%
Enforcement: Random Checks
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Enforcement: Fines
italy:
Substantial
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Italy | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 (State Police) | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 116 (ACI) | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
italy:
113 (State Police)
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
italy:
116 (ACI)
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Italy | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; fines apply | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, strict enforcement | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, may include points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible, especially for foreign drivers | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
italy:
Varies; fines apply
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay