The rules of driving a car in Moscow are similar to European ones, but there are also their own peculiarities. We have collected all the information you need to know before you get behind the wheel in Moscow.

Last updated: August 2024

Car-sharing in Moscow

Moscow has the largest car-sharing park in the world with more than 30 000 cars waiting for you to be rented for any amount of time, starting from 1 minute. Cars can usually be left almost anywhere, including airports. City parking is also free for those cars. To be able to rent a car, you should register yourself in an app of the company providing the service. There are more than 15 car-sharing operators in Moscow, here are the market leaders:

• Citydrive: Offers a range of vehicles and has a strong focus on technology and user experience. The company is known for its dynamic pricing model, which adjusts prices based on demand and location.
• Yandex.Drive: Part of the Yandex ecosystem, it is one of the largest car-sharing services in Moscow. It offers a wide variety of vehicles, from economy to premium models, including electric cars.
• BelkaCar: Offers a mix of budget and premium vehicles. The company is gradually expanding its presence in Moscow and is known for its competitive pricing.
• Delimobil: One of the earliest players in the Moscow car-sharing market, Delimobil offers a large fleet of vehicles. It is well-known for its accessibility and widespread availability throughout the city.

Long term car rental in Moscow

Unfortunately, Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, Avis, and Budget do not have offices in Russia. However, there are a few services that offer similar quality:

• Inspire: An ex-branch of Europcar in Russia.
• RentRide: Marketplace of car rent with both business and private offers.
• Citydrive: Besides being a car-sharing company, Citydrive also offers long-term rent.

Road regulations in Russia

• Driving is right-sided.
• In the built up areas the speed limit is 60 km/h, some areas have 40 km/h or 50 km/h limit.
• In none built up areas – 90 km/h.
• On the off-city highways – 110 km/h.
• Some highways around Moscow have 130 km/h limit.
• The minimum age to drive a car is 18 (16 for motorcycles, 20 for buses).
• Wearing of seat belts is mandatory in both front and back seats.
• Speaking on a mobile phone or even holding it in a hand while driving is a serious offence.
• Turning right at a red light is not allowed when there is no special green arrow traffic light.
• It is illegal for children under the age of 12 to travel in the front seat.
• Dipped headlights must be used during the day.
• It is illegal to drive a car with mud on the license plates.

Required documents for driving in Russia

While driving in Russia every driver is required to have the following set of documents:

• Passport (Russian Visa and migration card is a must for foreigners).
• Driving license (if you plan to stay in Moscow for more than 6 months, your national license will not be enough, you have to obtain Russian license).
• Registration certificate (pink laminated card).
• Vehicle insurance (green or purple paper or its digital copy).
• A power of Attorney (only for rented cars).

Fines in Russia

Traffic police officers can stop every car just to check the documents. Every road inspector must introduce himself pointing his title and last name.

The cameras can record not only speeding but other minor violations as well. Driving along the bus lanes, driving in the oncoming lane, incorrect parking or even driving without a full stop where there’s a stop sign – all those violations are in their competence. Numerous traffic cameras are installed in all city regions along every major road. The detailed list of cameras and places of their location is presented on this site. After the camera registered a violation, the appropriate fine is sent to the owner of the car both by post and online. It must be paid for a one-month term (there’s a 50% discount if you pay within 2 weeks). For serious violations (Russia has a zero tolerance policy on drinking and driving), the driving license can be confiscated by a court.

All the fines should be paid only at the bank or via internet, so never give any money (or bank cards) to the road inspectors.

Parking in Moscow

Moscow has paid parking across the city. There are several parking zones and also special fares for specific streets. Parking may cost from 40 ₽ (€0.4) to 600 ₽ (€5.8) per hour.

How to pay (all methods require to have a MIR bank card):

• Mobile App available for iOS and Android.
• Moscow Parking Portal.
• SMS to 7757 (Russian sim-cards only).

Getting Russian driver license

A foreigner, temporarily staying in Russia can typically drive with his national driving license. Foreigners that are going to stay in Russia for more than 6 months must obtain a Russian driving license.

If your national driving license is still valid, you will only have to pass a general driving test. If your license has expired, you must also pass a practical driving exam to get the Russian license. However, to do so, you must speak fluent Russian: the theoretical and practical instruction is conducted only in Russian.

If you want to get your first driving license in Russia, you should also go to a local driving school, pass a medical test, have about two months of theoretical and practical driving instruction, and pass state driving exams.

To apply for a Russian driving license, you must provide the following documents:

• Passport and valid Russian visa and legally certified copy.
• The document confirming a place of continuous or temporary registration.
• Medical certificate (available from any major health clinic).
• National driving license, legally certified copy and translation.
• Photo of 4х6 cm.
• The receipt confirming payment of the state duty.
• Application for passing the examination.
• The receipt on examination payment.

Gas stations and EV charging stations in Moscow

We suggest you to fill up at good gas stations nets, such as Lukoil, Rosneft, Gazpromneft, Tatneft, Neftmagistral or Trassa.

Gas stations are particularly can be met outside the Garden Ring. The price of petrol in Russia is still significantly lower than in Europe.

As for the charging stations, you’ll be able to find hundreds of them in Moscow and Moscow region. Use Yandex.Maps to find the one that is closest to you and has the type you need.

Winter driving in Moscow

Driving in Moscow in winter could be a difficult thing, especially if you are not used to such weather conditions. During the winter period, remember to keep in your car a good snow brush and an anti-frost windshield washer fluid.

Before winter arrives, have your car protected with winter tires. Studded tires are allowed and recommended outside of Moscow. It is better to change tires in advance – in autumn, and not to wait until the first snow. Otherwise, you run the risk of spending a lot of time in queues to service stations.

Do not hurry to change winter tires in spring; it is better to wait until April.