Can an Indian Licence Drive in Russia? 2026 — Only With an IDP, and Russian Text Matters

Russia is the one destination on this list where the licence answer comes with a firm condition. An Indian driver cannot rely on the national licence alone — the International Driving Permit is genuinely required here, and the second thing to plan for depends entirely on when you travel.

The licence verdict for Indian visitors

You can drive in Russia, but you must carry an International Driving Permit alongside your Indian licence. This is the point that catches people out: unlike many countries where the IDP is a polite recommendation, in Russia it is a requirement, and your Indian licence on its own will not satisfy a check. Apply for the IDP in India before you leave; it cannot be obtained once you have arrived. Your foreign licence covers a stay of up to 6 months.

Winter tyres are the law, not a suggestion

Russia mandates winter tyres in the cold season, which makes the time of year you visit a practical question rather than a footnote. A car driven through the Russian winter must be fitted with them, and if you are hiring you should confirm the vehicle is correctly shod before you accept it. This is not optional kit you can skip to save money — it is a legal requirement and, on Russian winter roads, a genuine safety one.

The side switch, the distances and the dashcams

India drives on the left; Russia drives on the right, so your first day carries the usual reversal risk. Limits run to 60 km/h in town and 110 km/h on motorways, and a useful quirk is the speed tolerance — minor exceedances up to 10 km/h typically attract no fine, with penalties from around RUB 500 kicking in above that. Distances are vast and winters are extreme, so plan fuel (around $0.62 a litre) and rest stops carefully. Russia’s strong dashcam culture exists for a reason: keep your own documentation tidy, drive defensively, and the emergency number is 112.

Confirm your permit status with the Driving Permit Checker, read the full rules on the Russia driving guide, and estimate any penalty with the Speeding Fine Calculator.