Exploring Road Trip Options To Reach Belarus

Belarus is located in the centre of Europe and shares borders with Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. The country is easily accessible by road, with several border crossings and an extensive road network. Travellers can drive to Belarus from Europe and the CIS, but they must possess an international driving licence and the original documents showing ownership of the vehicle. It is important to note that Belarus has been excluded from flights from the EU and many other European countries since 2021, making travelling by road the only option for citizens of those countries.

Driving from Vilnius, Lithuania to Minsk

Things to Know Before You Go

Before embarking on your journey, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

• You must have an International Driving Licence to drive in Belarus.
• Bring the original documents showing that you are the owner of the car. Photocopies are not accepted.
• Check that your car has a BelToll unit, which digitally transfers toll charges at the borders.
• Purchase additional insurance at the Belarus border crossing. Premiums range from €5-50 depending on the length of your stay.
• Traffic in Belarus drives on the right.
• The motorway speed limit is 110 km/h.
• The alcohol limit for drivers is zero, including beer.
• Most road signs are in Cyrillic script, with some major junctions also in Latin script.
• There are often checkpoints on roads and border crossings in Belarus.

Border Crossing

When crossing the border, you will need to:

• Complete a customs declaration with information about your car.
• Purchase a car insurance certificate.

Driving requirements and regulations

To drive in Belarus, you will need a valid, full driving licence. If you are a UK citizen, you will also need an up-to-date International Driving Permit (IDP). For other nationalities, check with your country's licensing authority.

You will also need to carry your passport, insurance documents, and vehicle registration documents. If you are driving a rental car, you will need to carry the rental agreement.

If you are driving your own car, you will need to show documents proving you are the owner of the vehicle. These must be originals, not photocopies. You will also need to purchase car insurance from a Belarusian company if your existing insurance is not valid in Belarus.

If you are driving a foreign-registered vehicle, you must have an insurance certificate confirming civil liability insurance in a member state of the "Green Card" system.

It is also recommended that you carry a warning triangle, a fire extinguisher, and spare bulbs for your car's external lights.

When driving in Belarus, you must:

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Obey speed limits: 60km/h in built-up areas, 90km/h outside built-up areas, and 110km/h on motorways.
• Not use a mobile phone while driving.
• Not drink any alcohol and drive—the limit is zero.
• Drive on the right side of the road and overtake on the left.
• Give way to vehicles on the right and emergency vehicles.
• Be prepared to stop at police checkpoints and present your documents.
• Pay any road tolls using an onboard unit (OBU).

Border crossings

Belarus is located in Central Europe and shares borders with Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. The country is well-connected by road to its neighbouring countries, and you can enter by car from any of these nations.

One of the most popular routes into Belarus is from Vilnius in Lithuania to Minsk. This journey usually takes around three hours, but it can take longer in August, a popular month for Europeans to travel. Another well-travelled route is from Bialystok in Poland to Minsk, which takes around four and a half hours.

There are several border crossings into Belarus, and you should expect long queues at these checkpoints. When crossing the border, you will need to provide documentation about your vehicle and purchase car insurance. You must have an international driving licence to drive in Belarus, and traffic drives on the right.

If you are renting a car to drive into Belarus, it must be fitted with a BelToll unit, which digitally transfers toll charges at the border. You can also purchase additional insurance at the border, with premiums ranging from €5-50, depending on the length of your stay.

It is worth noting that the terrain can become more challenging as you enter Belarus, and inexperienced drivers may find this difficult. The roads in rural Belarus are often in poor condition, with missing road markings and inadequate lighting. It is advised not to drive outside of cities at night or in poor visibility due to the increased risk of accidents.

Popular road trip routes

Belarus is located in Central Europe and shares borders with Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. The country is well-connected by road to its neighbouring countries, and driving is a popular way to get into and around Belarus. Here are some of the most popular road trip routes to reach Belarus by road:

Vilnius, Lithuania to Minsk, Belarus: This route is known for its scenic beauty and usually takes around three hours to drive. However, expect longer travel times in August, a popular month for Europeans to vacation.

Bialystok, Poland to Minsk, Belarus: This route takes approximately four and a half hours. Remember that if you're renting a car, it must be fitted with a BelToll unit to pay the toll charges when entering Belarus.

Other routes:

• M1/E30: Brest (Kozlovichi) – Minsk – Russian border (Redki)
• M2: Minsk – Minsk National Airport
• M3: Minsk – Vitebsk
• M4: Minsk – Mogilev
• M5/E271: Minsk – Gomel
• M6/E28: Minsk – Grodno – Polish border (Bruzgi)
• M7/E28: Minsk – Oshmyany – Lithuanian border (Kamenny Log)
• P1: Minsk – Dzerzhinsk
• P21: Vitebsk – Russian border (Liozno)
• P23: Minsk – Mikashevichi
• P28: Minsk – Molodechno – Naroch
• P99: Baranovichy – Volkovysk – Pogranichny – Grodno

When driving in Belarus, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• You need an International Driving Licence.
• Traffic drives on the right.
• Road signs are mostly in Cyrillic, but major junctions also have signs in Latin script.
• Checkpoints are common on roads and border crossings.
• You must have car insurance, and insurance policies from outside Belarus are not valid. You can purchase insurance at the border.
• Belarus has a digital toll system called BelToll for its motorways.

Electric car charging points

Belarus has a growing electric vehicle market, supported by a network of over 1,000 charging stations across the country. This network is expanding, with the government investing in more charging stations to accommodate the increasing number of electric vehicles on the roads.

Brest is the city with the most charging stations in Belarus, while Ratomka has the fewest.

To use many of the charging stations, you will need a pass to activate them. The Electropass is a universal access solution that allows you to charge your electric vehicle on a maximum of charging networks. You can also use the Electromaps app, which provides real-time information on the status of charging points and can be helpful for finding charging stations in Belarus.

The electric vehicle market in Belarus is expected to reach a revenue of US$21.6 million in 2024, with a projected market volume of US$91.3 million by 2029. This growth is driven by government incentives, increasing environmental awareness, and consumer preferences for more sustainable and cost-effective transportation options.

When driving an electric vehicle to Belarus, it is important to plan your route carefully, taking into account the locations of the charging stations along the way. Keep in mind that you will need an International Driving Licence and the original documents showing ownership of the car when crossing the border.

Frequently asked questions