Driving in Latvia vs. Russia: Key Safety Differences

The driving landscapes of Latvia and Russia reveal fascinating contrasts that can significantly influence road safety for travelers. From lane markings and speed limits to regulations regarding alcohol consumption, these nations exhibit distinct practices. Understanding these nuances can enhance your driving experience and ensure safer journeys abroad.

latviarussia

RIGHT

Driving Side

The driving side in latvia is the Right Side of the road

Driving Safety Score

The driving Driving Safety Score in latvia is 71

1.692 $

Gas Price in USD

The driving Driving Safety Score for latvia is 1.692 US Dollars

While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.

Lanes

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	Latvia	Russia
Markings: Solid Yellow Line	Marks the left edge on divided roads.	Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Right	Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.	Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
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.

Markings: Solid Yellow Line

latvia:

Marks the left edge on divided roads.

russia:

Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.

Overtaking: On Right

latvia:

Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.

russia:

Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.

Bus Lanes: Usage

latvia:

Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.

russia:

Reserved for buses and taxis.

Bus Lanes: Markings

latvia:

Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.

russia:

Labeled with specific road signs or markings.

High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements

latvia:

N/A

russia:

N/A

Variable Speed Limits: Presence

latvia:

russia:

Yes

Variable Speed Limits: Indications

latvia:

N/A

russia:

Electronic signs display current limits.

Speeds Limits

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	Latvia	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	80 km/h	70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles	100 km/h	110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans	90 km/h	90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers	80 km/h	90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines	Common; fines are often issued immediately	Yes; but fines are also mailed

Urban Areas: Standard

latvia:

50 km/h

russia:

60 km/h

Urban Areas: Residential Zones

latvia:

30 km/h

russia:

20 km/h

Rural Areas: Buses And Vans

latvia:

80 km/h

russia:

90 km/h

Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers

latvia:

80 km/h

russia:

70-80 km/h

Highways: Cars And Motorcycles

latvia:

100 km/h

russia:

110 km/h

Highways: Buses And Vans

latvia:

90 km/h

russia:

90-100 km/h

Highways: Trucks And Trailers

latvia:

80 km/h

russia:

90 km/h

Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines

latvia:

Common; fines are often issued immediately

russia:

Yes; but fines are also mailed

Signals

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	Latvia	Russia
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together	Not used in Latvia	Not used in Russia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts	Signal when entering and exiting	Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language	Latvian; symbols are standard	Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning	Triangle-shaped with red borders	Diamond-shaped with yellow background

Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together

latvia:

Not used in Latvia

russia:

Not used in Russia

Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts

latvia:

Signal when entering and exiting

russia:

Signal when exiting

Traffic Signs: Language

latvia:

Latvian; symbols are standard

russia:

Russian; symbols are standard

Traffic Signs: Warning

latvia:

Triangle-shaped with red borders

russia:

Diamond-shaped with yellow background

Turns

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	Latvia		Russia
U- Turns Allowed	Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise		Allowed unless prohibited by a sign

U- Turns Allowed

latvia:

Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise

russia:

Allowed unless prohibited by a sign

Documentation

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	Latvia	Russia
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A	Accepted, no International Driving Permit required	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	Annual vehicle inspection required	Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker	Displayed on windshield	Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest	Mandatory	Not mandatory

Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A

latvia:

Accepted, no International Driving Permit required

russia:

Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended

Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U

latvia:

Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended

russia:

Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended

Vehicle Inspection: Requirement

latvia:

Annual vehicle inspection required

russia:

Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles

Vehicle Inspection: Sticker

latvia:

Displayed on windshield

russia:

Usually indicated in vehicle documents

Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest

latvia:

Mandatory

russia:

Not mandatory

Road Etiquette

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	Latvia		Russia
Pedestrians Priority	Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings		Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks

Pedestrians Priority

latvia:

Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings

russia:

Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks

Alcohol

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	Latvia	Russia
Limits: General Drivers	0.05%	0.035%
Enforcement: Random Checks	Common, especially on weekends	Common, especially in cities
Enforcement: Fines	Substantial, varies based on BAC	Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal	Can result in license suspension and fines	Can result in license suspension

Limits: General Drivers

latvia:

0.05%

russia:

0.035%

Enforcement: Random Checks

latvia:

Common, especially on weekends

russia:

Common, especially in cities

Enforcement: Fines

latvia:

Substantial, varies based on BAC

russia:

Varies; can be substantial

Test Refusal

latvia:

Can result in license suspension and fines

russia:

Can result in license suspension

Emergency Services

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	Latvia	Russia
Contact: Traffic Police	Varies; dial 112 for emergencies	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	Mandatory	Not mandatory, but recommended

Contact: Traffic Police

latvia:

Varies; dial 112 for emergencies

russia:

Check local numbers; 113 is common

Contact: Roadside Assistance

latvia:

Check with your insurance provider or local services

russia:

Check with your insurance provider

Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest

latvia:

Mandatory

russia:

Not mandatory, but recommended

Penalties And Fines

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	Latvia	Russia
Common Fines: Speeding	Varies; €20 to €300, points on license	Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol	Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension	Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts	€20 to €40, fines vary	Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use	€10 to €30, fines vary	Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation	€30 to €70, points on license	Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot	Common; fines can often be settled at the time	Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline	Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days	Varies; typically a few weeks to pay

Common Fines: Speeding

latvia:

Varies; €20 to €300, points on license

russia:

Varies; substantial fines

Common Fines: Alcohol

latvia:

Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension

russia:

Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time

Common Fines: Seat Belts

latvia:

€20 to €40, fines vary

russia:

Fines apply

Common Fines: Phone Use

latvia:

€10 to €30, fines vary

russia:

Fines apply, points in the record

Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation

latvia:

€30 to €70, points on license

russia:

Fines apply

Payment: On The Spot

latvia:

Common; fines can often be settled at the time

russia:

Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer

Payment: Deadline

latvia:

Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days

russia:

Varies; typically a few weeks to pay