Driving in Russia vs. Turkey: Key Safety Differences
When considering a road trip through Russia and Turkey, understanding their distinct driving regulations is crucial for ensuring safety. Key differences include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol restrictions. While Russia allows right turns on red unless indicated otherwise, Turkey generally prohibits this maneuver, highlighting the importance of being informed before hitting the road.
Lanes
| Russia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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 with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
turkey:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
russia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
russia:
N/A
turkey:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Russia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; but fines are also mailed | Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Standard
russia:
60 km/h
turkey:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
russia:
20 km/h
turkey:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
russia:
90 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
russia:
70-80 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
russia:
110 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
russia:
90-100 km/h
turkey:
100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Russia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Russia | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Russian; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
russia:
Not used in Russia
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
russia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Russia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Russia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually indicated in vehicle documents | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
russia:
Not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Russia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
russia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Russia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.035% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially in cities | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
russia:
0.035%
turkey:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
russia:
0.00%
turkey:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
russia:
Common, especially in cities
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
russia:
Can result in license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Russia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers; 113 is common | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Russia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points in the record | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
russia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
russia:
Fines apply
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
russia:
Fines apply
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges