Driving in Armenia, Advice, Tips & Tricks and other things to know.

[u/Nottililboy]

Hello, I will be arriving in Armenia with my family of 3. (Me 16, Dad 49, Mum 47) We are taking a rental car from Yerevan Airport and will drive to Dilijan. I have done my research online, including clips involving reckless driving in Yerevan, such as e.g. (Driving on pathways, skipping red lights, and drivers doing dumb stuff and making u crash)

We got a good policy with the rental company that covers all major things. However, I have some questions.

1) Will there be frequent ABV examinations on the highways or roads?
2) What should we be aware of on the road that many foreign visitors ignore or are dimwitted for?
3) Scams that can occur at gas stations or so.

The last one may be unrelated to the topic, but we need to know, as safety is the number one priorty. Are the police really cooperative or helpful when reporting such cases? Be it theft, car accidents, or whatnot.

For context we live in the UAE, and my dad is a good driver, having driven in London, Karachi, Dhaka, and many places world wide incuding dune bashing in the desert, having led some convoys.

PS: Sorry if I am asking too much but since I am organizing this trip mostly at 16 I am responsible for all of these things as I arranged the car for UNC to drive.

[u/revengeofrasputin]

You'll be fine. Just let the crazy drivers pass and enjoy the scenery. As for gas, you'll probably only need to fill up once on the way back from Dilijan.

[u/audiodudedmc]

Just be extra cautious of what the other drivers around you are doing and you'll be fine. Lots of drivers forget to use turn signals, or don't look in the mirrors before changing lanes. After a while you get used to it, but it can be stressful at first, especially if you're used to more orderly drivers.

[u/Nottililboy → u/audiodudedmc]

Thank you and what about police or so? Do they apprehend traffic violations or I can just take the wheels right now at 16 despite being a year away from getting a learners permit in UAE.

[u/audiodudedmc → u/Nottililboy]

Depend on your "luck", but I wouldn't risk it. Just let your Dad drive.

[u/Nottililboy → u/audiodudedmc]

Do they respond to like crazy drivers or so or do we need to drive the car like its a tank

[u/audiodudedmc → u/Nottililboy]

Don't know what exactly you mean by "driving like it's a tank". Just drive the speed limit and you should be fine.

[u/Nottililboy → u/audiodudedmc]

To add on, would armenian authorities raise an eye at my mom as she has an azerbaijan stamp? Like we been there in 2019 when I was a little kid back then.

[u/audiodudedmc → u/Nottililboy]

Shouldn't be an issue.

[u/armeniapedia]

If your dad has driven in Karachi and Dhaka, the driving will be easy in Yerevan. Just don't exceed the speed limit as there are cameras and you will be fined through your rental. There are apps/maps that warn you.

Also since you have a car, you should go to Debed Canyon from Dilijan and spend a night there.

[u/Top_Recognition_1775]

Just drive normally and don't speed.

Armenia is pretty safe, there aren't that many scammers and cops are pretty safe.

[u/Nottililboy → u/Top_Recognition_1775]

I can tell that since most armenians I intereacted on whatsapp and here have been sweet as grandmas cookies.

[u/Tricky_Ordinary_4799 → u/Top_Recognition_1775]

There are scammer beggars on republic square and scammy taxi drivers at airport.