Driving in Albania vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina: Key Differences
When it comes to navigating the roads of Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina, understanding the unique regulations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and enforcement practices, which impact drivers' experiences significantly. Familiarize yourself with these disparities to drive safely and confidently in both countries.
Lanes
| Albania | Bosnia and herzegovina | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
albania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
albania:
No
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
albania:
N/A
bosnia and herzegovina:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
albania:
N/A
bosnia and herzegovina:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
albania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
albania:
N/A
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Albania | Bosnia and herzegovina | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be paid at the scene. | Yes, frequently used |
Urban Areas: Standard
albania:
40 km/h
bosnia and herzegovina:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
albania:
70 km/h
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
70 km/h
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
110 km/h
bosnia and herzegovina:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
albania:
90 km/h
bosnia and herzegovina:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
albania:
Yes; fines can be paid at the scene.
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, frequently used
Signals
| Albania | Bosnia and herzegovina | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Albania | Not used |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unreasonable use prohibited |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian | Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
albania:
Not used in Albania
bosnia and herzegovina:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
albania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
bosnia and herzegovina:
Unreasonable use prohibited
Headlight Flash: Usage
albania:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
bosnia and herzegovina:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Traffic Signs: Language
albania:
Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
albania:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
bosnia and herzegovina:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Albania | Bosnia and herzegovina | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed when not prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
albania:
Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
albania:
Varies by locality; check for signs
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed when not prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Albania | Bosnia and herzegovina | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Mandatory annual inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
albania:
Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended
bosnia and herzegovina:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
albania:
Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended
bosnia and herzegovina:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
albania:
Mandatory; proof required
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory annual inspection
Road Etiquette
| Albania | Bosnia and herzegovina | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
Flashing Lights: Usage
albania:
To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake
bosnia and herzegovina:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Alcohol
| Albania | Bosnia and herzegovina | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for violations | Substantial fines possible |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
albania:
0.01%
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
albania:
Common, especially during holidays
bosnia and herzegovina:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
albania:
Substantial fines for violations
bosnia and herzegovina:
Substantial fines possible
Test Refusal
albania:
Can result in license suspension
bosnia and herzegovina:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Albania | Bosnia and herzegovina | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 129 | 122 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Usually provided by insurance |
Contact: Traffic Police
albania:
129
bosnia and herzegovina:
122
Contact: Roadside Assistance
albania:
Check with your insurance provider
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually provided by insurance
Penalties And Fines
| Albania | Bosnia and herzegovina | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL | Varies; fines can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines over 1,000 ALL | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; potential fines and penalties | Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines over 5,000 ALL | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within a few weeks |
Common Fines: Speeding
albania:
Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; fines can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
albania:
Fines over 1,000 ALL
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
albania:
Varies; potential fines and penalties
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
albania:
Fines over 5,000 ALL
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
albania:
Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
albania:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; typically within a few weeks