Destinations / Russia
Driving in Russia as a visitor
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Russia drives on the right under the 1968 Vienna Convention and uses Cyrillic, so an IDP helps translate non-Cyrillic licences for desks and police.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Russia expects
| Driving document | Depends on licence issuer, script and rental policy |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1968 Vienna |
| Valid for | Up to 3 years |
| Drives on the | Right |
| Emergency number | 112 |
| Top speed limit | 110 km/h motorways (130 where signed) |
What the rental desk will ask you for
| Your own licence | The original card. A photo of it, or a photocopy, gets turned away. |
|---|---|
| Licence translation | Check the desk policy for your issuing country and licence script. A translation accompanies the licence and never replaces an official permit. |
| Booklet format they know | 1968 Vienna |
| Minimum age | 18. Under 25 usually pays a young-driver surcharge. |
| Deposit | A credit card in the driver's name. The hold is taken in RUB. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Alcohol | Zero-tolerance alcohol limit (0.0%). |
|---|---|
| Lights | Headlights on at all times. |
| Documents | Carry passport, IDP and home licence. |
On the road in Russia
At the pump
Petrol is sold as AI-92, AI-95 and AI-98, with diesel (DT/ДТ) common; most stations are full self-serve where you prepay the cashier first, and cards are accepted, with petrol cheap by Western standards.
After a crash
Dial 112 (general emergency) or 102 for police; you must call the traffic police (GIBDD, formerly GAI) and obtain their report, and you must not move the vehicles until they document the scene unless a minor crash qualifies for the Europrotokol self-report form.
Sources: en.wikivoyage.org · en.wikipedia.org · remitly.com
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Russia?
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Russia drives on the right under the 1968 Vienna Convention and uses Cyrillic, so an IDP helps translate non-Cyrillic licences for desks and police.
Which translation format is used for Russia?
Russia uses the 1968 Vienna convention format. A Vialy translation is prepared in that format but is not a government-issued permit.
Will a rental desk in Russia ask for a translation?
Desks ask for an IDP for any non-Cyrillic licence.
How fast can Vialy prepare one for Russia?
The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay, 30 minutes as standard and 5 with Express.
Also in Europe
Driving on to another country on the same trip? Each page states what that destination expects.