In which countries is a Russian driver's license valid?

Experienced motorists often prefer to travel to foreign countries in their own vehicle. The ability to independently adjust the number of stops to view certain sights guarantees only a pleasant travel experience. However, positive emotions can spoil the check of documents by the inspector if he finds that the driver's license does not comply with the law. Therefore, each driver needs to know in which countries a Russian driver's license is valid, and where international ones are required.

Russian documents that allow you to drive a car on the territory of our state are national driving licenses (NAP) of the old and new models. The old format of the certificate, which was issued before 2011, is valid until the end of its term (clause 8 of the order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation of May 13, 2009 No. 365 “On the introduction of a driver’s license”). The new Russian plastic rights, unlike the previous versions of the document, in all respects comply with today's requirements of international standards.

Abroad, depending on the host country, national and international driving licenses are valid. A driver's license for traveling abroad should be selected based on the type of document you have:

A driver's license of a new format, recognized by many foreign countries, gives the right not only to travel by car, but also to rent a car in the host country without any problems.

In states that recognize the NAP of Russia, even large multinational rental companies will provide you with the car of interest for rent (subject to their requirements for driver age and driving experience). You can book a car and clarify additional requirements for the driver in advance on the Hertz website or the Avis Rent web portal.

Features of the legal application of Russian rights abroad

As mentioned above, there are countries that have signed international treaties, and countries that do not participate in any of the agreements regarding the recognition of certain auto rights on their territory. Each case has its own nuances:

1. Vienna convention. The main document, according to which Russian rights allow you to freely drive abroad, is the Convention on Road Traffic, signed in Vienna on November 8, 1968. According to Art. 41 of this convention, the participating countries recognize any national driver's licenses and international rights presented simultaneously with domestic ones. The agreement also determines which driver's license is valid abroad, and establishes clear requirements for the document (Appendix 6 to the Vienna Convention). Thus, according to international standards, Russian NAPs have been developed, a sample of which was approved by order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs dated May 13, 2009 No. 365 “On the Enforcement of a Driver's License”.

   However, it should be taken into account that not all signatory states have ratified (officially recognized) the Vienna Agreement (see the table below). Most European countries have ratified the convention, but there are exceptions.

2. Geneva Convention. The Convention on Road Traffic was signed on 19 September 1949 in Geneva. Many of the States parties to this agreement still use the established agreements, although the document is canceled by article 48 of the Vienna Convention. At the same time, the Geneva Treaty requires denunciation (an official one-year notice from the UN Secretary-General of its termination), which has not been carried out, which leaves the convention in force.

   The countries that signed the agreement in 1949 (see table below) only recognize international driving licenses on their territory. At the same time, international rights are valid in the presence of NAP. Consequently, in such countries, Russian certificates of both the old and the new format can only be used in conjunction with international ones.

3. Lack of participation in international conventions. States that have not been parties to any international agreements consider valid car rights issued on the territory of their country. Driving with the NAP of Russia here will be a violation of the Rules of the Road and is punished according to the requirements of local legislation. Which Russian driver's licenses are valid abroad, depending on the country's participation in the Vienna or Geneva Conventions, is described in the table.

Department of the Customs Union for national rights of the Russian Federation in foreign countries

States parties to the Vienna Convention that have ratified the agreement are highlighted in red.

Using this table, it is easy to determine in which countries the Russian driver's licenses of the new and old formats are valid, however, in some cases, for example, in the United Arab Emirates, contrary to the validity of agreements, the NAP of Russia is not accepted without an international car license.

In the UAE, you can rent a car only if you have international rights, and in the event of an accident, a driver with a Russian license is not officially entitled to sign the report.

At the same time, in the CIS countries where Russian driving licenses are valid, according to the Vienna Convention (even if the states have not ratified the agreement on their territory), driving and temporarily using a car with a new type of NAP is permissible.

Do I need to apply for an international car license?

Paragraph 8 of Art. 25 of the Federal Law "On Road Safety" of December 10, 1995 FZ-No. 196 (as amended on July 3, 2016) regulates the issuance of international rights for a period of not more than three years. They are legitimate only during the period of the Russian NAP. Driving a vehicle on the territory of the Russian Federation under international auto rights is unacceptable and is punishable by an administrative penalty. Driving abroad with this type of document also requires a national driver's license.

The need to obtain international rights is due to the internal laws of the country in which it is planned to travel by car. If you have read the list of states recognizing the NAP, studied the peculiarities of traffic in the country and are still not sure about the legal use of a Russian certificate, it is better to issue an international one in the prescribed manner.

How to get an International Driving License - International Driving Permit: Video