Driving in Russia vs. Serbia: Key Safety Differences
Driving in Russia and Serbia presents unique challenges and regulations that every traveler should understand. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and documentation requirements. While both nations have stringent measures for alcohol consumption, Serbia mandates reflective vests, unlike Russia. Familiarizing yourself with these variations is essential for ensuring a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
Russia | Serbia | |
---|---|---|
Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
serbia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Bus Lanes: Usage
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
serbia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
serbia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
russia:
N/A
serbia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
Russia | Serbia | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Standard | 60 km/h | 50 km/h |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 120 km/h |
Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; but fines are also mailed | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
russia:
60 km/h
serbia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
russia:
20 km/h
serbia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
russia:
90 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
russia:
90 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
russia:
70-80 km/h
serbia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
russia:
110 km/h
serbia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
russia:
90-100 km/h
serbia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
russia:
90 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
serbia:
Yes
Signals
Russia | Serbia | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Russia | Not used in Serbia |
Traffic Signs: Language | Russian; symbols are standard | Serbian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
russia:
Not used in Russia
serbia:
Not used in Serbia
Traffic Signs: Language
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
serbia:
Serbian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
serbia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
Russia | Serbia | |
---|---|---|
U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Varies by city; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
serbia:
Varies by city; check for signs
Documentation
Russia | Serbia | |
---|---|---|
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles | Mandatory periodic inspections |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually indicated in vehicle documents | Displayed on windshield |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
serbia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
serbia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
serbia:
Mandatory periodic inspections
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
serbia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
russia:
Not mandatory
serbia:
Mandatory
Alcohol
Russia | Serbia | |
---|---|---|
Limits: General Drivers | 0.035% | 0.03% |
Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially in cities | Common; police regularly perform checks |
Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial, varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
russia:
0.035%
serbia:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
russia:
0.00%
serbia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
russia:
Common, especially in cities
serbia:
Common; police regularly perform checks
Enforcement: Fines
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
serbia:
Substantial, varies by severity
Emergency Services
Russia | Serbia | |
---|---|---|
Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers; 113 is common | 192 |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 1987 |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
serbia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
serbia:
1987
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
serbia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
Russia | Serbia | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license |
Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | €20 to €40 |
Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points in the record | €30 to €50 |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | €30 to €50, points on license |
Payment: On The Spot | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer | Yes, possible for smaller fines |
Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay | Varies; typically 8 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
serbia:
Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
russia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
serbia:
Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
russia:
Fines apply
serbia:
€20 to €40
Common Fines: Phone Use
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
serbia:
€30 to €50
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
russia:
Fines apply
serbia:
€30 to €50, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
serbia:
Yes, possible for smaller fines
Payment: Deadline
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay
serbia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay