Rules of the Road · Verified August 2026

Driving Laws in Russia

Everything a visitor needs before driving in Russia — which side to drive on, the alcohol limit, national speed limits and licence requirements.

right

Driving Side

steering wheel on the left

0.03

BAC Limit (g/dL)

general drivers

110

Motorway Limit

km/h

recommended

Intl. Driving Permit

for foreign visitors

Speed Limits

National Default Speed Limits

Urban / Built-up

60 km/h

Rural / Open Road

90 km/h

Motorway / Highway

110 km/h

Defaults only — posted signs always override national defaults. Laws verified August 2026; rules change, so confirm with an official source before you travel.

Alcohol & Driving

Drink-Driving Rules in Russia

General limit: 0.03 g/dL

Reaction time, judgement and night vision all degrade well below any legal threshold — the only limit that guarantees safety is 0.00. Alcohol is a factor in a large share of the world's fatal crashes, and enforcement in Russia can include checkpoints, licence loss and jail.

Live Tracking

Russia on the Live Map

Russia has a WHO-estimated 10.9 road deaths per 100,000 people. See live accident reports and full statistics for Russia.

Before You Go

Emergency Number

Save Russia's emergency number before you drive — find it in our worldwide emergency numbers directory. And check your rental's tires with the tire age checker.

Nearby

Driving Laws in Neighbouring Countries

Mongolia North Korea Kazakhstan China Kyrgyzstan South Korea

Questions

FAQ

Which side of the road does Russia drive on?

Russia drives on the right-hand side of the road (like most of the world).

What is the drink-driving limit in Russia?

The general limit is 0.03 g/dL BAC. Remember: impairment starts well below the legal limit.

Do I need an International Driving Permit in Russia?

An IDP is recommended rather than strictly required for most visitors to Russia — but rental companies and police may still ask for one, and it is cheap insurance.

Is it safe to drive in Russia?

By the numbers, Russia has a WHO-estimated road death rate of 10.9 per 100,000 people (global average about 15), which is close to the global average — it ranks 124 of 195 countries from most to least deadly. Traffic drives on the right. Most road deaths anywhere happen at night, at higher speeds and on rural roads, so plan long drives in daylight and follow the posted limits.