Driving in Turkmenistan 2026: 60 km/h Cities, 0.0 Alcohol

Built-up areas in Turkmenistan, Ashgabat included, run at 60 km/h rather than the 50 used across most of Europe, with 90 km/h on rural roads and 110 km/h on motorways. Alcohol is a flat zero at the wheel, studded tyres are restricted rather than seasonal, traffic keeps right, and from a mobile police are 002, ambulance 003 and fire 001.

Your case: That extra 10 km/h in town is easy to lose track of in the other direction, since a habit built on 50 km/h limits reads every Ashgabat street as slower than it is — check the figure for the road type you are on in the World Speed Limit Map before you trust the instinct.

Emergency Numbers in Turkmenistan

Police: 002 | Ambulance: 003 | Fire: 001

Save these numbers before you start driving. In Turkmenistan, emergency calls are free from any phone.

Speed Limits in Turkmenistan

The default speed limits for passenger cars in Turkmenistan are 60 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h on rural roads, and 110 km/h on motorways.

Trucks and vehicles over 3.5 tonnes have lower limits: 60 km/h urban, 80 km/h rural, and 90 km/h on motorways.

For comparison, motorway limits in nearby countries: Kazakhstan (140 km/h).

Important: Posted signs always override default limits. Watch for temporary restrictions in construction zones, near schools, and in residential areas.

Speeding Fines and Penalties

Speeding fines in Turkmenistan vary based on how much you exceed the posted limit. Fines increase sharply for higher violations and may include licence points or driving bans for serious offences.

Traffic Rules and Regulations

Drive on the right side of the road. Overtake on the left. At roundabouts, enter counter-clockwise and yield to traffic already circulating.

Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants. Children must use appropriate restraint systems based on their age and height.

Using a hand-held phone while driving is prohibited. Hands-free systems are permitted.

Use headlights in poor visibility, tunnels, and at night. Some areas require headlights at all times.

Priority at intersections follows posted signs. When no signs are present, yield to traffic from the right.

Drink-Driving Laws and Alcohol Limits

Turkmenistan enforces a zero-tolerance drink-driving policy. Any detectable alcohol in your blood while driving is illegal. There is no safe amount — even one drink can put you over the limit. Penalties include heavy fines, licence confiscation, and potential imprisonment.

The safest approach is to not drink at all if you will be driving. Alcohol affects reaction time and judgement regardless of the legal limit.

Tyre Requirements and Regulations

Winter tyres are not required in Turkmenistan. Standard tyres are sufficient for normal driving conditions.

The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm.

Studded tyres: restricted.

For detailed tyre law information, see our Tyre Laws in Turkmenistan guide.

Driving License Requirements

Always carry your original driving licence — photocopies are not accepted.

Parking and Fuel

Parking in major cities can be limited and expensive. Shopping centres and commercial areas usually have dedicated car parks. Read signs carefully to avoid towing.

Most fuel stations accept major credit and debit cards. In rural areas, keep your tank above half — stations may be far apart.

Seasonal Driving Conditions

Turkmenistan has extreme continental climate. Winter driving (November to March) requires caution — ice, snow, and reduced visibility are common. Clear all snow and ice from your vehicle before driving. Allow extra following distance on slippery roads.

Summer driving is generally straightforward with long daylight hours. Watch for tourist traffic near popular destinations.

Practical Driving Tips for Turkmenistan

• Download offline maps of Turkmenistan before your trip — mobile signal can be unreliable on rural roads.
• Take a break every 2 hours on long drives. Fatigue is a leading cause of road accidents.
• Use our interactive tools on this page — compare rules with your home country and calculate potential fines before you set off.