Road traffic rules and regulations of driving in Russia aren’t that different from driving in other developed countries as far as you’re conversant or a geek behind the wheels you’re good to go. All you need is to get acquainted with the road traffic rules and regulations applicable to the Russian roads in line with the road traffic laws.
So before you hop in and strap yourself behind the wheels here’s what you need to know so you won’t earn yourself a traffic violation ticket.
Things you need to know about the road traffic rules and regulations of driving in Russia
- Who is legible to drive in Russia?
- Russian driver’s license and who needs it?
- How to apply for a Russian driver’s license and what documents are required?
- What is required for driving in the Russian Federation?
- Vehicle inspection
- Vehicle insurance
- Road traffic rules and regulations in the Russian federation
- Speed limits
- Parking
- Road traffic penalties and fines
Who is legible to drive in Russia?
Road traffic rules and regulation laws state that one must be 18 years of age to be legible for driving and 16 years of age for riding motorbikes. If your age falls below 18 and 16-year of age you’re not legible to drive or ride only until you reach the stipulated age as stated in the Road traffic and regulations law of the Russian federation.
For foreigners
For foreigner who have legally lived in the Russian Federation for not less than 6 months is allowed to use your international drivers license locally issued in their home country. But this must be translated into the Russian Cyrillic.
READ: Russian Golden Visa Scheme Foreigners
Note: you must carry your translated International driver’s license together with your international passport or any other documents you can be identified with. All documents translated and authenticated.
Within the time frame of 60 days, you’ll need to change your International driver’s license issued to you in your home country to a Russian one if you’re moving to Russia as an official residence.
Russian driver’s license and who needs it?
Road traffic and regulations law require both Russians and foreign citizens to possess a valid driver’s license to be able to drive or ride in Russia. This you will have to hand them to the Russian traffic police if eventually, you’re stopped for checks.`
How to apply for Russia’s driver’s license and what documents are required?
For Russian
First and foremost, you need to complete driving courses and get a certificate from the state inspection that you passed the driving test. Then you’ll need to undergo a medical examination and get a certificate showing you’re mentally healthy to drive.
With these documents, you need to visit the multifunctional center which caters to the issuances of various documents. There you will be required to pay a tax for the issuance of rights. You also be photographed and fill out an application for the issuance of rights after which you’ll make an appointment when you need to pick up the rights.
See the Moscow Road Police department for more valuable information
For foreigners
Foreigners also undergoes the same similar process. But you’ll need to Provide the following;
- Your international passport
- Valid visa
- Medical certificate
- Foreign driver’s license
- A copy of the driver’s license translated and signed by a notary office
- If your foreign license is still valid you’ll only need go through a theoretical test. whereas your foreign license has expired you’ll have to through the practical test and pass it.
The license is issued in Russia for a period of 10 years, which is renewable on expiration.
Russian Drivers License Renewal
When your drivers license expires you need to undergo another medical examination. to do this you need to again visit the multifunctional center with the expired license.
What is required for driving in the Russian Federation?
Road traffic rules and regulations law in Russia requires licensed drivers to often carry with them the following;
- Box of the first-aid kit
- Spare head and tail light bulbs
- Fire-extinguisher
- Beam reflectors
- Warning Triangles
- Russian drivers license or your foreign driver’s license issued in your country
- Car Insurance issued in Russia
- Vehicle’s ownership
- Medical certificate
- Technical/mechanical Inspection certificate
Vehicle inspection
Every vehicle owners in Russia is required by law to periodically undergo a mechanical inspection. Vehicle Three (3) to seven (7) years old is required by the Russian Road traffic law to under go mechanical inspections every two (2) years. And Vehicles that are older that seven (7) years old is required to be technically inspected every year.
After your vehicle has undergone this mandatory technical inspection certificate or a card which you’ll also need to carry with you often while driving. If you do not know how to read in Russia then you’d need a translator to interpret the result of the inspection for you. Meanwhile knowing how to start a communication with Russian is important.
Road traffic rules and regulations in the Russian federation
- Drive on the right side of the road
- Driver/passenger must properly strap their seat belt
- If you’re traveling with children under the age of 12, they must be strapped in a children’s seat
- Do not cross a solid double white line else you’ll earn yourself a ticket
- Do not turn right on red lights
- Using your mobile phone while driving is a driving offense. Buy yourself a smart hands free device
- Only use the horn when it’s necessary
- Do not drive a dirty car
Speed limits
The speed limitations in Russia varies depends on where you’re driving in Russia.
For vehicles (cars) and motorbikes under the weight of 3.5 tonnes (3000 kg) is required a speed limit of 60km/h in place with buildings in the area and on high express and other roads keep it 110km/h. Heavier vehicles and trailers are required to drive at the speed limit of 90km/h on expressways and other places at 7okm/h. On traffic signposts in residential area states 20km/h speed limit.
Parking
To park your vehicle you must always park on the right. But in some residential areas cars can be parked on the left and right corners. Although in Moscow and some other places in Russia are paid parking per hour. See parking fines here.
Do not park 5 meters within an intersection or pedestrian crossing, on bends.
Do not park your vehicles where on the Letter P with a wheelchair symbol. It’s designated for disabled persons in wheelchairs. i.e parking space for disabled persons.
Road traffic penalties and fines
If eventually, you break any of the road traffic rules and regulations you’ll be handed on a spot fine to be paid into the appropriate government bank account. In some cases of over speeding the road cctv camera captures your speeding activity and the police will then use the information on your vehcle license to send a ticket to your address.
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You can automatically connect the road traffic application to your bank account. This will automatically debit your account whenever you break the road traffic rules and regulations.