Driving in Afghanistan vs North Macedonia: Key Differences
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and driving customs between Afghanistan and North Macedonia. Key differences include speed limits, lane markings, and emergency equipment requirements. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a safe and smooth journey in each nation. Stay informed and drive safely abroad!
Lanes
Afghanistan | North macedonia | |
---|---|---|
Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. |
Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. |
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
north macedonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
afghanistan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
north macedonia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
north macedonia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
north macedonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
Afghanistan | North macedonia | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
north macedonia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
north macedonia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
north macedonia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
Afghanistan | North macedonia | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Prepare to go |
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Prohibited in urban areas at night |
Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to signal other messages |
Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | Macedonian; standard symbols |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
afghanistan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
afghanistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
afghanistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
afghanistan:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
Afghanistan | North macedonia | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
Afghanistan | North macedonia | |
---|---|---|
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Annual inspection required |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
afghanistan:
Displayed on windshield
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
Afghanistan | North macedonia | |
---|---|---|
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
afghanistan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
north macedonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
Afghanistan | North macedonia | |
---|---|---|
Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Conducted at checkpoints |
Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
north macedonia:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
Afghanistan | North macedonia | |
---|---|---|
Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | 192 |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Contact local service providers |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
Afghanistan | North macedonia | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | 50 EUR |
Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | 40 EUR |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | 250 EUR, points on license |
Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Yes, often required |
Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
north macedonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay