Driving Differences: Italy vs. Uzbekistan Explained
When traversing the roads of Italy and Uzbekistan, understanding the nuances of their traffic regulations is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. Notable distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and the use of emergency services. By familiarizing yourself with these variances, you can navigate both countries' roadways with confidence and awareness.
Lanes
| Italy | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. | Typically used to separate opposing traffic 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. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use the rightmost lane where possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mostly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
uzbekistan:
Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
uzbekistan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
italy:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
uzbekistan:
Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
italy:
List length: 5
uzbekistan:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
italy:
Use rightmost lane.
uzbekistan:
Use the rightmost lane where possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
italy:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
italy:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
uzbekistan:
Reserved for buses in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
italy:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
uzbekistan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
italy:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited, mostly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
italy:
Exclusive for bicycles.
uzbekistan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
italy:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
uzbekistan:
May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
italy:
Yes
uzbekistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits.
uzbekistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Italy | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
italy:
50 km/h
uzbekistan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
90 km/h
uzbekistan:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
italy:
80 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
70 km/h
uzbekistan:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
130 km/h
uzbekistan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
italy:
100 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
80 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
italy:
Yes
uzbekistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits
uzbekistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
uzbekistan:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Italy | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used; prepare to go when green appears | Not used in Uzbekistan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Italian; symbols are standard | Uzbek and 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
uzbekistan:
Not used in Uzbekistan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
italy:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
uzbekistan:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
italy:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
uzbekistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Hand Signals: Common Usage
italy:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
uzbekistan:
Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
uzbekistan:
Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
uzbekistan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Italy | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
uzbekistan:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
uzbekistan:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Italy | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
italy:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
uzbekistan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
italy:
Displayed on license plate
uzbekistan:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Italy | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Generally more frequent due to local driving habits |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
italy:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
uzbekistan:
Encouraged
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
italy:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
uzbekistan:
Generally more frequent due to local driving habits
Alcohol
| Italy | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21 |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Substantial, varies by severity of infraction |
Limits: Underage Drivers
italy:
0.00%
uzbekistan:
0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21
Enforcement: Random Checks
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
uzbekistan:
Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized
Enforcement: Fines
italy:
Substantial
uzbekistan:
Substantial, varies by severity of infraction
Emergency Services
| Italy | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 103 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 (State Police) | 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 116 (ACI) | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
italy:
112
uzbekistan:
103
Contact: Traffic Police
italy:
113 (State Police)
uzbekistan:
102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
italy:
116 (ACI)
uzbekistan:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Italy | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; fines apply | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, strict enforcement | Fines for using phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, may include points on license | Fines issued, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible, especially for foreign drivers | Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days | Varies; typically within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
uzbekistan:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Seat Belts
italy:
Varies; fines apply
uzbekistan:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
uzbekistan:
Fines for using phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
uzbekistan:
Fines issued, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
uzbekistan:
Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office
Payment: Deadline
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days
uzbekistan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
italy:
Possible if fines are not paid
uzbekistan:
Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines