The road network to cities around Moscow is good, but the condition of the highways deteriorates rapidly once you leave the main intercity routes. It is a good idea for drivers to plan an itinerary and book accommodation in advance, to avoid problems with bureaucracy and red tape later. The government has created several tourist routes with road signs in Latin script; elsewhere, you must learn to recognise names in Cyrillic. Motorways are prefixed by ‘M' and major routes are prefixed by ‘A'.

Traffic drives on the right - except after dark when intoxicated drivers can weave dangerously all over the road. Driving under the influence of drugs or any amount of alcohol is illegal, but this is widely flaunted. Play it safe and stick to sober daytime travel only. The speed limit is 60kph (37mph) in built-up areas, 90kph (55mph) outside of built-up areas and 100kph (62mph) on motorways. Visiting motorists who have not held a driving licence for over two years must not exceed 70kph (43mph). It is forbidden to use the horn (except in an emergency), carry unauthorised passengers or pick up hitchhikers. Seat belts are compulsory and all cars must carry a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher and an emergency triangle or red light. It is wise for drivers to carry spare petrol, as filling stations can be far apart.

The minimum age for driving in Russia is 18 and foreign drivers need an International Driving Permit or a national driving licence with an authorised translation. Visitors travelling in their own cars must also possess - and carry at all times - a passport and visa. You must also carry an itinerary card, bearing the following: the visitor's name and citizenship, the car registration number, insurance details, full details of the itinerary (which must be presented upon entry to the country), petrol vouchers purchased at the border, and a form provided by Customs upon arrival guaranteeing that the car will be taken out of the Russian Federation on departure. Motor insurance for travel within the Russian Federation should be arranged prior to departure or upon entry to the Russian Federation, at the offices of Ingosstrakh (www.ingos.ru/en) the Russian Federation foreign insurance agency. The Russian Embassy or a specialist tour operator can provide foreign drivers with further details.

Emergency breakdown service: GAI tel: ((495) 923 5373).

Routes to the city: The Moskovskaya Koltsevaya Avtomobilnaya Doroga (Moscow Ring Road) is an orbital motorway surrounding the city and linking roads from Minsk (M1), Kiev (M2), Nizhny Novgorod (M7), Riga (M9) and St Petersburg (M10).

Driving times to Moscow: From Nizhny Novgorod - 7 hours 15 minutes; St Petersburg - 12 hours 30 minutes; Kiev - 14 hours 15 minutes.

Coach services: There are long-distance buses to many cities around Moscow, but buses are slow, uncomfortable and rarely used by foreign visitors. The Central Bus Station (tel: (495) 468 0400/4370) is located by the Shcholkovskaya metro station in the eastern suburbs of the city.