Are Russian driving licenses valid in Europe?

Where is a Russian driver's license valid?

Anyone who decides to get the right to drive a vehicle just needs to get a driver's license. He can travel with it in his own country as long as the VU is valid. But can you use your national driver's license abroad? Are they valid there? You can understand these issues and find out in which countries Russian driver’s licenses are valid by reading this article.

Vienna and Geneva conventions

In 1968, the Convention on Road Traffic was signed in Vienna. It replaced the Geneva Convention of 1949, the main drawback of which was that, in addition to the national ID, an international certificate was also required for unhindered movement abroad.

The Vienna Convention was created to make traffic rules common to different countries around the world. Therefore, the result should have been road safety, since drivers took the driving test using the same rules. When moving from one country to another, they would not adapt to the new rules. General traffic signs were also developed around the same time.

The Convention was supported and signed by a large number of states, including the Russian Federation. Now, to travel abroad - to one of the countries that have signed and ratified the Vienna Convention - you do not need to change your national license or obtain an additional international driver's license (IDP). In 1971 and 2006, the agreement was finalized.

Which countries recognize Russian VU?

Many drivers are interested in the question of whether a Russian driving license is valid in Europe. The answer may surprise you, but Russian VU is valid not only in many European countries, but also in some countries in South America, Asia and even Africa.

On the map, countries that have signed the Vienna Convention are highlighted in dark color. But currently, not all of them accept Russian IDs. The fact is that the leadership of countries can change their decision and sign new agreements, canceling old ones.

You can see the list of countries where a Russian driver's license is valid in 2019 below:

Austria,
Albania,
Azerbaijan,
Armenia,
Bahrain,
Bahamas,
Belgium,
Belarus,
Bulgaria,
Brazil,
Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Ghana,
Greece,
Germany,
Georgia,
Democratic Republic of Congo,
Zimbabwe,
Denmark,
Romania,
Slovakia,

In accordance with the requirements of the convention, information on a driver's license must be duplicated in English, and the lines must be numbered. According to these requirements, new plastic Russian licenses have been issued.

But if you have a laminated ID issued before March 23, 2011, it must also be recognized until its expiration date.

For which countries do you also need an international VU?

In addition to the Vienna Convention, many countries have also signed the Geneva Convention, according to which you can also move freely on the territory of the signatory states. Moreover, in addition to the Russian license, you need to have an annex to it - an international driver's license (IDP).

There are slightly fewer of these countries, since many of them reconsidered the decision and signed the Vienna Convention.

To find out how many countries are parties to the Geneva Convention as of 2019, read the list below:

Australia,
Algeria,
New Guinea,
Andorra,
Nigeria,
Papua,
Argentina,
Paraguay,
The Republic of Korea,
Ghana,
Venezuela,
Haiti,
Dominican Republic,
Mali,
New Zealand,
Namibia,
Ireland,
Malaysia,
Malta,
Benin,
Iceland,
Singapore,
Bangladesh,
Syria,
USA,
Rwanda,
Sierra Leone,
Egypt,
India,
Botswana,
Burkina Faso,
Guatemala,
Vatican,
Jordan,
Barbados,
Great Britain,
Spain,
Cambodia,
Canada,
Cyprus,
Laos,
Ecuador,
Lebanon,
Madagascar,
Malawi,
Thailand,
Togo,
Trinidad and Tobago,
Uganda,
Fiji,
Chile,
Lesotho,
Sri Lanka,
Congo,
Jamaica,
Japan.

All of these states are supporters of the Geneva Convention and require drivers to have an international driving license.

What rights are needed in other countries?

Undoubtedly, there are many states that have given their preference to one or another agreement on road traffic, but there are also those that have decided to stay on the sidelines. In order to legally drive your own car in such countries, you will need to obtain a local driver's license.

There are many problems associated with the execution of the document, and they may refuse to replace the national license with a local one due to the discrepancy between the rights and accepted standards. Therefore, you need to find out what rights are needed for Russians abroad in specific countries in advance.

What do we end up with?

For motorists, the countries of the world are conventionally divided into three types: members of the Geneva Convention, the Vienna Convention, and those that have not signed either one. Before traveling abroad, it is worth knowing this information in advance. This way you will protect yourself from troubles and unnecessary problems.

Also, do not forget that the old-style Russian driver’s license is not recognized even in countries that have signed the Vienna Convention.

Practicing lawyer with 10 years of experience. Specializations: criminal law, insurance law, administrative offenses.

What driver's license do Russians need in Europe?

For many drivers, traveling in your own car is the most comfortable.

After all, this is the only way there is no connection to public transport; you can independently plan your route and stops along the way.

Renting a car abroad is also not particularly difficult.

Therefore, the question of whether Russian driver’s licenses are valid in Europe remains relevant.

In accordance with the law, the following types of driving documents are distinguished:

National - give you the opportunity to drive a car on the territory of your state.
International - issued for use on the territory of foreign powers.

The answer to the question of what kind of driver's license is needed in Europe for Russians can only be based on official documents that regulate this. In this case, these are the Geneva and Vienna Conventions.

What type of driver's license can you drive abroad?

All existing countries can be divided into three groups:

states that have signed the Vienna Convention;
states that have signed the Geneva Convention;
countries that have not signed any of these documents.

Based on which document the country where you are planning to travel has joined, it depends which driver’s license will be valid on its territory.

States in the third group, which have not supported any convention, recognize exclusively their own driving rights . Thus, it will be possible to drive a car in their open spaces only after the driver has passed the appropriate exams and received a local document.

Some of these states allow exceptions. On their territory it is possible to use a national document with a translation attached to it. But before you go there, you should find out everything in detail.

Countries that signed the Geneva Convention of 1949 agreed that they would recognize an international driving license in their territories . In this case, you can safely take out a license to travel abroad and not worry about possible misunderstandings and fines.

Thus, with international rights you can travel to the following countries:

Australia;
Albania;
Algeria;
Andorra;
Argentina;
Bangladesh;
Belize;
Benin;
Botswana;
Haiti;
Gambia;
Guatemala;
Gibraltar;
Hong Kong;
Grenada;
Dominican Republic;
Egypt;
Western Samoa;
India;
Jordan;
Ireland;
Iceland;
Cambodia;
Canada;
Cyprus;
China;
Congo;
Laos;
Lesotho;
Lebanon;
Mauritania;
Madagascar;
Malawi;
Malaysia;
Mali;
Malta;
Namibia;
Netherlands;
New Zealand;
New Caledonia;
Papua New Guinea;
Paraguay;
Peru;
Rwanda;
San Lucia;
Swaziland;
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines;
Singapore;
Syria;
USA;
Sierra Leone;
Taiwan;
Tanzania;
Togo;
Trinidad and Tobago;
Tunisia;
Türkiye;
Uganda;
Fiji;
French polynesia;
Jamaica;
Japan.

The most convenient and pleasant group for Russians is the group of states that includes the parties to the Vienna Convention. It is in such countries that Russian driver's licenses and other national licenses are valid. The main condition is their compliance with established standards.

Since this convention was supported by almost all European countries, Russian rights are valid in Europe. The list of these states is as follows :

Austria;
Bahamas;
Bahrain;
Belarus;
Belgium;
Bulgaria;
Bosnia and Herzegovina;
Brazil;
Great Britain;
Hungary;
Venezuela;
Guyana;
Ghana;
Germany;
Greece;
Georgia;
Denmark;
Zaire;
Zimbabwe;
Israel;
Indonesia;
Iran;
Spain;
Italy;
Kazakhstan;
Kyrgyzstan;
Costa Rica;
Ivory Coast;
Cuba;
Kuwait;
Latvia;
Lithuania;
Luxembourg;
Macedonia;
Morocco;
Mexico;
Monaco;
Niger;
Norway;
UAE;
Pakistan;
Poland;
Portugal;
The Republic of Korea;
Republic of Moldova;
Romania;
San Marino;
Seychelles;
Senegal;
Slovakia;
Slovenia;
Tajikistan;
Thailand;
Turkmenistan;
Uzbekistan;
Ukraine;
Uruguay;
Philippines;
Finland;
France;
Croatia;
CAR;
Czech Republic;
Chile;
Switzerland;
Sweden;
Ecuador;
Estonia;
SOUTH AFRICA;
Yugoslavia.

In 2006, the format of the international driver's license changed . The numbering of all lines of this document has become a prerequisite.

After the introduction of the changes, the countries that signed the Vienna Treaty were given 5 years to bring all driving documents into compliance.

Thus, an international driving license is needed in those countries that are parties to the Geneva Convention. But there are exceptions here too.

For example, in the USA, which signed the Geneva Convention and must recognize only international driving documents, there are no questions about Russian licenses, either at the rental office or with the police.

Does a Russian driver's license correspond to international ones?

In some European countries, the new Russian driving license causes distrust. This is due to the fact that there are no Latin inscriptions on the document.

What rights apply in Europe is a rather pressing question . After all, the driver's license of Russians fully complies with the requirements of the international Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, adopted in 1968.

It sets uniform standards for road signs and traffic rules for all participants. This convention has been approved in almost all European countries.

Quite often, drivers who have already acquired new plastic licenses encounter certain problems abroad. The main reason for them is misunderstanding on the part of the police.

It is caused by the lack of translation of the phrase “Driver’s license”. In the old document, this translation was in French.

Some companies that provide cars for rent require that you show them an international driving license. This happens quite rarely.

An international license is only required if the driver plans to visit a country that has not signed the Vienna Convention.

If the police officer refuses to recognize Russian rights, it is recommended to have with you a printed copy of the Vienna Convention in English or in the language of the country you plan to visit.

If someone is very afraid that problems may arise with national rights abroad, then they can obtain an international document.

But all police inspectors should know whether an international driving permit is needed in Europe. Therefore, they cannot make unfounded claims against Russian drivers.

How to get an international driving license

Countries that have supported only the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic recognize an international driving license on their territory.

For those planning to visit them, it should be taken into account that national rights must also be present, since without them the international document is not valid.

This is not very convenient for Russian drivers who only have a national license. But, as practice has proven, discrepancies occur quite often.

Some countries, although they have signed the Vienna Convention, continue to require an international document or recognize only those rights that are issued on their territory.

According to international law in 2019, the above requirements are not legal. They are doomed to fail in court proceedings.

But similar situations happen, and most often in European countries. The problem does not have to be immediately resolved in court; sometimes it is resolved on the road or at the police station, referring to international law.

By law, international rights in Europe are only required in countries that are members of the Geneva Convention.

In addition to the police, misunderstandings may also arise with offices that provide cars for rent. They may refuse their services if the driver does not have an international document.

Therefore, before traveling to another country, you should carefully study all the necessary information about it on the Internet. And in order not to spoil your mood with worries on vacation and showdowns with the police, you can get an international ID card. This procedure takes a little time.

The following documents will be required for registration:

Russian driver's license.
Identity card of a citizen of the Russian Federation.
International passport.
Medical certificate of fitness to drive a vehicle.
Driver's photo.
Receipt of payment of the duty.

With the package of the above documents, you should go to the central department of the traffic police of your city, since not every department can issue the document. After this, in about half an hour, the driver will receive an international driver's license.

It is very comfortable to travel in your own car to different countries. But first of all, it’s worth understanding in which countries Russian driver’s licenses are valid. And also, is an international driving license required in Europe?

The first thing you need to do is determine which group the country you plan to visit belongs to . In accordance with the law, Russian driver's licenses are valid in Europe, since European countries have signed the Vienna Convention.

An international driver's license is recognized by states that have signed the Geneva Convention. In practice, various nuances occur, but you can always defend your interests if you act in accordance with international law.

International driving license. Do you need an international driving license in Europe? Legal advice

Traveling by car is increasingly attracting Russian tourists. What could be more interesting than a trip with loved ones to European countries? Considering that the borders within the EU are open, you don’t even notice how you get from one country to another. Only a small, inconspicuous sign indicates crossing the border. Before a trip, it is always useful to develop a travel itinerary and find out the answer to the question: “Are international rights needed in Europe?”

Some tourists plan to get to their destination country by plane or train, and then rent a car there. Is it possible to draw up a rental agreement with our national rights obtained after 2011? After all, their appearance fully complies with international standards?

International Driving Permit - what is it?

Many drivers are completely confident that if they have a new national driver's license, then this is an international driver's license (IDP). On a pink card, the size of a regular plastic card, in Russian and Latin, information about the driver is written and, it would seem, this is enough to drive a car outside the Russian Federation. This opinion is based on the fact that not so long ago, in order to travel abroad with a Russian license of an earlier issue, a notarized translation of the license into the language of the country that our tourist was going to visit was required. The new type of rights were born as a result of some changes in the Vienna Convention. They led to the approval of driver's licenses to a unified format: now uniform symbols of admission (category) to driving a vehicle are used and each line is numbered. These innovations allow a traffic police officer in any country to understand what is indicated on a driver’s license and recognize it as valid.

Thus, an international driver's license is a separate document that gives the right to drive a vehicle outside the country that issued it and is the official multilingual translation of the national driver's license.

An IDP can only be used in conjunction with a national driving license. It looks like a booklet, gray in color, all letters are written in Latin script, all numbers are written in Arabic.

When are international rights needed?

“Why do you need an international driving license?” - the drivers ask. An international driver's license is needed to travel to countries that, in the middle of the last century in Geneva, signed an international document according to which they recognize only international driving licenses on their territories.

Can Russians use their national ID in Europe?

Do we need international rights in Europe in 2019? Are Russian driving licenses valid in Europe? You can fully use your national Russian rights in countries that have signed the Vienna Convention and recognize Russian and other national VU of the established format on their territory. Almost all European countries recognize Russian driver's licenses.

In which countries is a Russian ID valid?

Many of our compatriots are interested in: “In which countries are Russian driver’s licenses valid?”

Countries in which a Russian driver's license is valid:

Republic of Austria;
Commonwealth of the Bahamas;
Kingdom of Bahrain;
Republic of Belarus;
Kingdom of Belgium;
Republic of Bulgaria;
Bosnia and Herzegovina;
Federative Republic of Brazil;
United Kingdom Great Britain;
Hungary;
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela;
Cooperative Republic of Guyana;
Republic of Ghana;
Federal Republic of Germany;
Hellenic Republic;
Republic of Georgia;
Kingdom of Denmark;
Republic of Zaire;
Republic of Zimbabwe;
State of Israel;
Republic of Indonesia;
Islamic Republic of Iran;
The Kingdom of Spain;
Italian Republic;
The Republic of Kazakhstan;
Kyrgyz Republic;
Republic of Costa Rica;
Republic of Cote d'Ivoire;
Republic of Cuba;
State of Kuwait;
Latvian republic;
Republic of Lithuania;
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg;
Republic of Macedonia;
Kingdom of Morocco;
United Mexican States;
Principality of Monaco;
Niger Republic;
Kingdom of Norway;
United Arab Emirates;
Islamic Republic of Pakistan;
Republic of Poland;
Portuguese Republic;
Korea;
The Republic of Moldova;
Romania;
Republic of San Marino;
Republic of Seychelles;
Republic of Senegal;
The Slovak Republic;
Republic of Slovenia;
The Republic of Tajikistan;
Kingdom of Thailand;
Turkmenistan;
The Republic of Uzbekistan;
Ukraine;
Eastern Republic of Uruguay;
Republic of the Philippines;
Republic of Finland;
French Republic;
Republic of Croatia;
Central African Republic;
Czech Republic;
Republic of Chile;
Swiss Confederation;
Kingdom of Sweden;
Republic of Ecuador;
Republic of Estonia;
Republic of South Africa;
Yugoslavia.

However, Russian tourists who would like to rent cars in some countries, most often in Italy and Greece, have repeatedly encountered refusals from vehicle lessors. And the reason for the refusal was the presence of a national Russian driver's license.

Vienna and Geneva conventions

All existing countries in the world are divided into three groups:

Group 1: countries that have signed the Vienna Convention. In order to make roads around the world safer, the Vienna Treaty was signed between the participating countries back in the middle of the last century. The “main weapon” of this international agreement can be called the standardization of traffic rules, road signs, signals and bringing the driver’s license to a single standard. Countries internationally recognize the validity of national driver's licenses issued by other states on their territories. Our Russian licenses, which are issued after 2011, fully comply with the international standard.

Group 2: countries that have signed the Geneva Convention. Countries that supported the Geneva Treaty also have the noble goal of improving road safety. However, they only recognize the international driver's license format. Therefore, any tourist planning to visit countries party to the Geneva Convention and get behind the wheel there will have to obtain a special international driving license. Interesting fact: the last page of the IDP is always written in French.

Group 3: countries that have not signed any convention. Countries that did not support either the Geneva or Vienna Treaties recognize only those driver's licenses that are approved on their territory. Therefore, if you would like to drive on the roads of these countries, you need to complete a standard training course, pass exams and obtain a local driving license. Some countries allow the use of the national rights of another state with an official translation into their official language. But lawyers recommend that tourists thoroughly study the legal norms of the country they are going to visit.

How to get an international ID card in Russia?

You can obtain an IDP on the basis of a national driver's license, without passing exams or providing a medical driver's certificate.

You can do this:

1. Through any traffic police department:

pay the state fee and receive a receipt;
come to the traffic police department;
go to a specialist according to the electronic queue with a package of necessary documents;
wait a certain time and get an international driver's license.

The main advantage of this form of obtaining a document is: receiving the document on the day of application.

The cost of public services is 1600 rubles;

2. Through any branch of the MFC:

To do this, you need to make an appointment (by phone, through the website, terminal) or go to a specialist on a first-come, first-served basis;
pay the state fee and receive a receipt;
submit the required documents and sign the application;
come at the appointed time to receive an international driver's license.

The main advantages of this form of obtaining a document are: saving personal time and lack of interaction with traffic police officers. In this case, the service completion period is about 15 working days.

The cost of public services is 1600 rubles.

3. Through the State Services portal:

To do this you need to register on the site;
fill out an application electronically;
upload the required documents in the form of scans to the website;
make an electronic appointment at any traffic police department;
pay the state fee by non-cash method;
At the appointed time, drive up to the traffic police department to obtain an international driving license.

The main advantages of this form of obtaining a document are: payment of state duty by non-cash method with a 30% discount, saving personal time and minimal interaction with traffic police officers.

The cost of the public service is 1120 rubles.

Regardless of the method of obtaining, the validity of the IDP is 3 years within the framework of a valid national driver's license.

Fine for using Russian rights abroad

European penalties are quite severe compared to domestic ones and usually start at 200 euros. You should also take into account the fact that paying the fine in Russia will cost more, about 25 - 35 euros, this will be the bank’s commission for an international transfer. Unpaid fines may result in denial of your next visa.

Conclusion

Future tourists are interested in: “What licenses can you have to drive in Europe?” Almost all European countries have signed the Vienna Convention and recognize the new Russian driver's license issued after 2011. Remember that an IDP is only valid in conjunction with a domestic driver’s license and that in the Russian Federation you cannot drive vehicles on the basis of an international license.

However, so that your trip is not marred by misunderstandings and controversial issues on the part of traffic police officers of any country, it is still advisable to obtain an international certificate. For example, to travel to Turkey by car, you will need a Russian license for Georgian roads, but you will not be allowed into Turkey without an IDP. When planning any trip abroad, you need to understand that the price of your peace of mind may be only 1600 or 1120 rubles.

Russian driver's license abroad: where is it valid and how to change it?

The content of the article

What rights are needed when traveling?

The list of documents required for short-term (during a tourist trip) travel by car in other countries is regulated by the Geneva Convention of 1949 and the Vienna Convention of 1968. Depending on the current agreement, a Russian citizen abroad will need:

National rights - if a person received them after March 2011 and plans to travel to a country for which the Vienna Convention is in force.
National driving license (NDP) + translation. Also valid for states that have signed the Vienna Agreement.
DDP + international driver's license (IDP). Required in countries that have accepted the Geneva Agreement. In some cases, an IDP may also be required in countries that have adopted the Vienna Convention. But in such a situation, international driving licenses are not necessary - you can take them with you only as a safety net in case of unforeseen situations on the road.

At first glance, the division is simple and understandable. But individual European countries have their own nuances, and, as we have already noted, you may still be required to provide an IDP. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, some states impose increased requirements on Russian drivers. Secondly, in order to “adjust” domestic laws to an international act, ratification of the document is required, which not all countries have passed.

Where does the Vienna Convention apply?

The list is impressive, but in addition to it, the Consular Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry lists the following countries where an IDP may well be required.

Belgium. An international license is needed to rent a car. You can also travel around the DDP by personal car.
Greece. They will also require it if you want to rent a car.
Netherlands. It is also permissible to drive with an illegal driving license, but when stopped on the road, the police often require an international license.
Norway. You need an IDP to rent a car. You can move around the country with national rights.
Türkiye. You may be asked for an IDP even when traveling in a personal car.
Switzerland. Similar to the previous option.

Where does the Geneva Agreement apply?

In these countries, an IDP is used in conjunction with a national ID. There are countries where international rights are required less often (for example, Spain, Great Britain). But this does not mean that you can do without them. So, when applying for insurance or renting a car, an IDP will most likely be required.

Residence permit or permanent residence abroad: how long are Russian rights valid?

After moving to another country, you can use a Russian DDP for a limited period of time, after which you should replace your rights with local ones.

“Starting point” is obtaining a document on residence permit or permanent residence. EU member countries issue a uniform driver's license. Although complete replacement with new power units is planned only by 2033. But if you are going to move from one EU country to another, then you will not have to change the previously acquired rights. After expiration, the European driving license is changed automatically, without passing an exam.

How to get a license in Europe?

Each country has its own nuances (more on this later). The general scheme is this.

Retaking exams. In most countries you will have to take both theory and driving tests.
Medical commission. In no European country can you start taking exams until you receive the opinions of a number of doctors. Some countries also require first aid courses.
Original NVU. You will need to present the original Russian license in any country. But some will require a notarized translation, and some will not.
Confirmation. Before issuing new licenses, the government agency must make sure that your existing license is valid. In some countries, this procedure does not require your participation. In others, you will have to contact the consulate. But it happens that they require a certificate from the traffic police, and from the city where you took the exams and received a certificate. They are also sometimes asked to provide documents from a driving school. To find out which option is yours, contact the consulate of the country you are interested in.
Additional documents. Confirmation of the right to reside in the country (long-term visa, residence permit). Sometimes they ask to show documents for property or registration (depending on the purpose of the move).

What are the features and cost of obtaining new rights?

If you decide to move to one of the EU countries from Russia, the timing and features of the temporary residence permit exchange will depend on the specific state. We will also consider countries that are not members of the European Union, but are often of interest to Russians as places to move.

If you have a residence permit, local rights will be valid until the permit expires.
In this case, the national rights remain in the hands of the foreigner. If there is permanent residence, the foreigner must replace his “native” license with a local one, submitting it along with the necessary package of documents to the traffic police department at the place of registration. The validity period of the new license in this case is ten years. Please note that you will have to take both theory and practice. Moreover, the exam is conducted only in Russian; foreign citizens are not provided with an interpreter.

A little more about the features of obtaining a driver’s license abroad

If you are already a driver, you will be allowed to prepare for the theoretical exam at home, but you will definitely have to attend driving lessons.
The training is step-by-step: first you take the theory, then you take practice in urban conditions. You will also pay for each stage separately.
You undergo a medical examination immediately before the exam. The certificate is valid for 90 days.
You can sign up for the exam, as well as get more detailed information and take a practice test, on the website of the General Directorate of Traffic in Spain.
Along with the new driver's license, they are given a green plate with the letter L - this is the mark of a newbie. They are glued to the rear window - you can only remove it after a year.

First, you pass a theoretical exam, after which you are issued a learner's permit (valid for 12 months). You can get behind the wheel, even with an instructor, only if they are available. You can drive around Cyprus with a learner’s license only if there is a person nearby who is over 25 years old and has at least 5 years of driving experience.
The letter L is attached to both the front and rear of the car.
You can register to drive no earlier than a month after you receive your learner’s license (in practice, this period often extends to three to five months). But you can pay extra to speed up the process.
You can decide for yourself how many hours to practice: you will take the exam when you realize that you are ready. If you fail, you can try again no earlier than 30 days later, paying the fee again.
After passing the practical test, your driver's license will be mailed to you.

Practical driving lessons begin immediately in the city - no racetracks or training tracks.
When a person takes his license for the first time, a mandatory part of the program is several driving lessons in difficult conditions (bad weather, darkness, etc.). But those who already have a driving license go through this stage at will. But in any case, you will have to practice driving on the autobahn, at various speeds, outside populated areas.
There is no need to undergo a medical examination - just check your vision.
It is not necessary to attend theoretical classes, but you will have to take an exam. At a driving school, you are given access to an online program for self-training. You can even take the theoretical part in Russian, and sign up whenever it’s convenient for you.
A special feature of the theoretical exam for obtaining a driving license in Germany is a large block of questions related to cyclists and the environment.
In German driving schools there is no mandatory number of hours for driving training: the instructor sends you for the test when he understands that you are ready.

What is the penalty
for expired licenses?

If you do not change your Russian driver's license to a local one in time, the document you have will be considered invalid. The punishment can be a large fine (on average €8 thousand), or the seizure of the car and even the detention of the driver.

Most often the case ends with a fine. In some countries (for example, France, Germany, Czech Republic), in addition to the main punishment, along with each violation you “earn” points. When a certain number of them accumulate, you are deprived of your rights. And in France, if you try to argue and rudely prove that you are right, you risk going to prison for up to a year.

In most countries, obtaining a local license instead of a Russian one obliges you to retake the theory and practice of driving. Although this requires additional expenditure of time and money, it allows you to get acquainted with the peculiarities of driving and legislation in a particular country. By doing so, you will increase your safety and reduce the risk of fines. And thanks to the generally long period of validity of the Russian driving license in other countries, you will have enough time to prepare for the procedure for passing a local license.

In which European countries can you drive with a Russian driver's license?

Many people with extensive driving experience prefer to cross the border on their own, in a personal car. But in order to ensure that they do not have problems with the law outside the Russian Federation, they need to clarify in advance whether a Russian driver’s license is valid in Europe. After all, it is very easy to receive a fine for non-compliance of a document abroad. But not everyone can afford to pay a tidy sum in euros or dollars.

Features of the Geneva and Vienna Conventions

The Vienna Convention is an international agreement drawn up by Russia and some European states. Its main goal is to standardize traffic rules to improve road safety. It regulates the following provisions:

Operating conditions for vehicles, including those equipped with trailers;
Rules for traveling on public roads;
Regulations on the use of identification stickers and signs;
A single form of driving license recognized in countries party to the Vienna Convention.

In accordance with this document, residents of the Russian Federation have the opportunity to cross the borders of neighboring countries (Europe and Asia) in their own transport, using only a domestic driver’s license. But this does not apply to territorial units from the list of the Geneva Treaty, since its regulations only accept rights of an international type.

Use of Russian rights abroad

From the point of view of the law, you can drive in Europe with a Russian license. But when crossing the border, the person driving must:

Meet the age criterion;
Have a satisfactory state of health;
Possess the required category.

At the same time, even with compliance with the above requirements, travel is allowed only to those territories that are supporters of the Vienna Treaty. In countries that are members of the Geneva Convention, a Russian driver's license is welcome only in combination with an international ID.

Countries in which Russian rights are valid

In total, there are about 90 foreign territories where Russians can travel by car with their internal civil license. But the most popular of them are:

In the listed countries, Russian driver's licenses are valid from 1969 to the present day. But when traveling to states from the list of the Geneva Treaty, you should definitely take an international standard crust with you.

Countries that require an international license

Despite the fact that both conventions are aimed at improving road safety, some countries were very skeptical about this idea and refused to sign both treaties. And the list of these territorial divisions looks like this:

Australia;
Algeria;
Bangladesh;
Benin;
Botswana;
Vatican;
Haiti;
Guatemala;
Egypt;
India;
Ireland;
Kyrgyzstan;
Malta;
New Zealand;
Paraguay;
Peru;
Singapore;
Syria;
Taiwan;
Tunisia;
Fiji;
Jamaica.

According to the current legislation, crossing the above-mentioned territorial parts by car is allowed only if you have an international driving license. But entry with Russian documents will be punishable by fines (from 150 to 400 euros).

Temporary restrictions on the use of Russian rights in Europe

Having figured out what kind of driver's license is needed in Europe for residents of Russia, let's move on to the second, important issue: time restrictions. In most countries that are members of both conventions, you can drive with a certificate that meets the regulations of the Russian Federation for six months. The exceptions are:

Belarus, Czech Republic and Norway - in the listed territories, the Russian crust is valid for only 90 days;
Bulgaria, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Romania, Slovenia, France and Sweden - in these countries you can drive without a foreign driver's license for a year.

This information is especially useful for those citizens who cross the European border not for travel purposes, but with permanent residence permits.

What punishment can you face for violating the convention?

When driving with a Russian license in Europe, the driver automatically bears responsibility not only under foreign traffic rules, but also under an international treaty, for violation of which a citizen of the Russian Federation may face:

An impressive fine of 50 to 800 euros (according to the severity of the crime);
Forced deportation (applied in case of malicious violation of traffic rules);
Restriction of freedom (a last resort for people who have committed an accident in which there are injuries or deaths).

Based on this, it turns out that ignoring the requirements of the contract is not the best choice. After all, because of this person, serious problems will arise and further travel on the roads of countries that are members of the conventions will be closed to her.

Features of the use of Russian rights in some countries

Knowing which driver's license is valid in European countries is not enough. Indeed, due to certain circumstances, the following additional conditions may apply to the driver of the Russian Federation:

In addition to the internal civil certificate, you must have with you a translation into the state language, signed by a notary;
Driving on the roads of countries that signed the Vienna Treaty is only permitted if you have a new type of license.

Where exactly such measures are applied, and in what cases, we will consider below.

According to current legislation, Russians do not need international rights in Italy. But if we are not talking about personal transport, but about a rented car, then the above-mentioned crust will not be enough to obtain it. After all, many Italian rental car companies often deviate from the Vienna Convention for the sake of their own safety. The only exception in such cases may be motorists with extensive driving experience.

If you believe the Vienna Treaty, then a Russian driver’s license in Spain has the same legal force as an international driving license. But when it comes to renting a vehicle, new requirements arise for a resident of the Russian Federation:

The rights claimed must have been obtained in a country that is not a member of the European Union;
When paired with a Russian driver's license, the car enthusiast is required to provide rental car representatives with an official translation into the domestic language;
If you have a short experience, a certificate of international format is added to the listed rules.

Such requirements are supported by the general regulations and cannot be challenged in a local court.

Unlike the first two countries, Cyprus has a completely opposite system. If, according to the Geneva Treaty, a Russian driver must have two mandatory certificates with him: a Russian Federation driving license and an international certificate, then he can only get a car for rent on the territory of this state upon presentation of the first document. The only thing that the legislation is really strict about is temporary restrictions on the rights of the motorist.

The most difficult situation regarding Russian drivers, as well as citizens of the old USSR, is observed in Greece. After all, it is here that in order to rent a car you will be required not only to have a valid Russian Federation document and an international driving license, but also a foreign passport. And the reason for such tightening of rencar rules was the disappointing statistics of road accidents over the past 2 years, when tourists refused to compensate for losses.

What you need to rent a car in Europe

In most European countries, you can rent a car in three available places: official companies, independent brokers or specialized hotels. In this case, the list of necessary documents for such manipulation will be the same:

Bank card (required to freeze additional funds in case of force majeure);
A new type of Russian Federation certificate (according to the Vienna Convention, you can travel around Europe only with such rights. The old certificate will need to be exchanged in advance before traveling abroad);
VU international format (not in all countries);
International passport or valid visa (in extreme cases).

In addition, the customer will have to pay a state fee of 1,600 rubles. And if this procedure was carried out outside the rental car company, then the transaction receipt will need to be added to the listed papers.

As you can see, Russians do not have any particular problems with moving around European countries. But if you do not adhere to the requirements of conventions, as well as foreign traffic regulations, then the situation can change dramatically. Therefore, before crossing the border, familiarize yourself with the rules of the relevant state.