Driving Differences: Russia vs. United Kingdom Explained
When navigating the roads in Russia or the United Kingdom, understanding the distinct driving regulations is crucial for ensuring your safety. Key contrasts include driving on the right versus the left side, varied speed limits, and unique lane markings. Familiarizing yourself with these nuances will help pave the way for a safer journey abroad.
Lanes
| Russia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
Driving Side
russia:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
russia:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
russia:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
russia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
russia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
russia:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
russia:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
russia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
russia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
russia:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
Speeds Limits
| Russia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 60 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; but fines are also mailed | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
russia:
60 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
russia:
20 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
russia:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
russia:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
russia:
70-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
russia:
110 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
russia:
90-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
russia:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
russia:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Russia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Russia | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Russian; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
russia:
Not used in Russia
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
russia:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Russia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
russia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
russia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Russia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually indicated in vehicle documents | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
russia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Russia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
russia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Russia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.035% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially in cities | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
russia:
0.035%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
russia:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
russia:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
russia:
Common, especially in cities
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Russia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
russia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
russia:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Russia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers; 113 is common | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
russia:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
russia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Russia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points in the record | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
russia:
Fines apply
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
russia:
Fines apply
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay