Drivers pay little heed to traffic regulations, so expect a certain degree of artistic liberty when driving. Azeri driving behaviour is not incredibly dangerous nor aggressive, but don't depend on drivers to stay in their own lanes. Nor will they always pay attention to traffic signals or other drivers. Horns are an endemic phenomenon: personalized car horns are considered trendy in Baku and you'll see the noveau riche in their  Hummers, Mercedes and BMWs often with two horns going at once - an ordinary one, and one that plays a tune, the theme from the film the Godfather is a favourite... Barking cars can also be heard. Often family cars are loaded with cargo in a way that could rival a Pakistani truck - beware as it is not uncommon for it to fall.

Pedestrians constantly cross the street everywhere. With the number of cars on the road growing exponentially, parking tends to be very creative, you will realize this as soon as you get out of the airport terminal.
 

Note that "left-hand" turns across traffic are absolutely forbidden. You have to find a way to get to the other side of the street and then make a "right-hand" turn. Sometimes this means driving a kilometre or so out of your way and reversing direction. Sometimes, you'll find cars backing up a one-way street just so they can "legally" head in the direction they want to go. Drive defensively at all times.

Always carry your vehicle registration papers, passport and driver's licence. Also, make sure that your car's paperwork gives you authorization to drive it. An international driver's license is valid in Azerbaijan if you stay in the country for less than 4 months. After that, you'll need to get a stamp from the traffic police (79 S. Vurgun, tel. 984 002).

If a policeman signals you to pull over, he'll use a siren or point with a baton. Above all, stay calm and don't get out of the car. The officer will shake hands with you first, introduce himself, then ask for your license and car's documentation. Answer his questions, but don't volunteer information. Be ready to apologize. The officer may be looking for a bribe, but will eventually let you go without one. The police's obscure fines are more often than not, not for the local road fund, most are open to bribery to counteract their miserable wages.

Driving under the influence of alcohol is a very serious offence in Azerbaijan, so make sure that you have a replacement driver even if you plan to drink only a small amount of alcohol.

From Azerbaijan International (6.2) Summer 1998
 
 
 

Car Rental in Baku

Local as well as international companies operate in Baku. If you have no experience of driving in Azerbaijan consider renting a car with a driver, specially if your knowledge of Azeri or Russian aren't in your CV (see driving). Check all insurance details, specially with the smaller companies. The car rental companies are located mostly in town, but some have opened desks at the airport. You also have the option of renting a private car with driver.
 

Car Rental Company	Phone	Fax
Ankara-Travel 546 Landau	930393	396742
Autostern (Daimler Mercedes representative) 26 Gasym Majidov Street, 370065 e-mail:autostern@headoffice.baku.az	941308, 942995	948413
Avis 3 Samad Vurgun Street, Apt.6 e-mail:koleli@avis.baku.az	975455	975553
Baku-Motors 111/90 Nizami	933689	NA
Caspian-Motors 27, 28th May Street e-mail: caspianmotors@azerin.com	981415, 981585	932141
Hertz (town) 64/18 Uzeyir Hajibeyov Street e-mail: anjey@hertz.baku.az	982022, 982198	984354
Hertz (Airport) Baku, Bina International Airport, North Terminal - Arrival e-mail: anjey@hertz.baku.az	971857	971857
Improtex-Travel 66 Nizami Street e-mail: improlcc@azerin.com	931728, 932279	937520
Nurgyun Motors  27 U. Hajibayov	983537	NA
Specter  3 Alizadeh	935636	935636

 

Gas Stations

Although this is the land of oil, the quality of the refined products may no be outstanding, as the refineries operate with outdated technology and maintenance procedures and additives are not always the most advanced. Unlike in most of western Europe, leaded fuel is still available.

Fuel supplies outside Baku may not be reliable, so check before taking to the road on long trips, if in doubt get a jerrycan. In some stations you may find only 91 octane gasoline (you will find 95, but 98 octane in unheard of). Some stations also include money exchange services and all kinds of shops.

Below you'll find a list of gas stations in the Baku area.
 

Azpetrol Darnagyul road Tel: 631 417 Azpetrol 2 Koshkinaby Tel: 392 166 Azpetrol 1125 Moscow av. Tel: 661 884 Azpetrol Zardaby av. Tel: 323 335  Lukoil Neftchilar av. Tel: 917 144 Lukoil Yeny Surakhani settlement Tel: 978 421

Tapet Ahmmadi settlement Block 2322, M. Hady  Tel: 760 177 Fax: 738 042 Tapet Airport road Tel: 560 086 Fax: 982 876 Tapet Neftchilar av. Tel: 917 168 Fax: 974 527 Tapet Tiblisi av. Tel: 601 830 Fax: 681 702

 

Car Service

Autostern Khirdalan settlement, Avtovaz, 370001 Tel: 936 065 Fax: 971 985 Car Service Centre Khirdalan settlement Tel: 427 375 Car Service Centre Sabunchy settlement Tel: 241605 Chelik Motors Pishevary, 9 settlement Tel: 682 963

General Motors Performance Centre 88 Zardabi st. Tel: 977 024 Fax: 976 552 Idrak 98, Sh. Badalbeyly, 370000 Tel: 989 160 Fax: 989 158 Milan 3 Bailov settlement, 370007 Tel: 916 604 Nur 1 B. Sardarov Tel: 922 363

 

see also: transportation, urban transportation in Baku, airport, maps, driving, gas stations, car rental, summary, images

A to Z of Azerbaijan / A dan Z ye Azerbaycan

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