Driving Differences: Albania vs. Croatia
When navigating the roads of Albania and Croatia, motorists encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. Key differences include speed limits, bus lane usage, and alcohol tolerance levels. Familiarizing yourself with these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey through these captivating countries.
Lanes
| Albania | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not commonly practiced. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| 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.
croatia:
Not commonly practiced.
Bus Lanes: Presence
albania:
No
croatia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
albania:
N/A
croatia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
albania:
N/A
croatia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
croatia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Albania | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be paid at the scene. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
albania:
40 km/h
croatia:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
80 km/h
croatia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
albania:
70 km/h
croatia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
70 km/h
croatia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
110 km/h
croatia:
130 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
croatia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
albania:
Yes; fines can be paid at the scene.
croatia:
Yes
Signals
| Albania | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Albania | Not used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian | Croatian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangle with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
albania:
Not used in Albania
croatia:
Not used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
albania:
Signal when exiting
croatia:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
albania:
Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian
croatia:
Croatian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
albania:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
croatia:
Triangle with red border
Turns
| Albania | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
albania:
Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign
croatia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
albania:
Varies by locality; check for signs
croatia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Albania | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Annual inspection required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
albania:
Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended
croatia:
Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
albania:
Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended
croatia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
albania:
Mandatory; proof required
croatia:
Annual inspection required
Road Etiquette
| Albania | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
croatia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Alcohol
| Albania | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.01% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for violations | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
albania:
0.01%
croatia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
albania:
0.00%; zero tolerance
croatia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
albania:
Common, especially during holidays
croatia:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
albania:
Substantial fines for violations
croatia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Albania | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 129 | 92 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 188 or check with your insurance provider |
Contact: Traffic Police
albania:
129
croatia:
92
Contact: Roadside Assistance
albania:
Check with your insurance provider
croatia:
188 or check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Albania | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL | Varies; significant fines possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines over 1,000 ALL | Fines enforced |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; potential fines and penalties | Fines enforced |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines over 5,000 ALL | Significant fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene | Yes, often |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; stated at the time of fine |
Common Fines: Speeding
albania:
Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL
croatia:
Varies; significant fines possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
albania:
Fines over 1,000 ALL
croatia:
Fines enforced
Common Fines: Phone Use
albania:
Varies; potential fines and penalties
croatia:
Fines enforced
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
albania:
Fines over 5,000 ALL
croatia:
Significant fines
Payment: On The Spot
albania:
Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene
croatia:
Yes, often
Payment: Deadline
albania:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
croatia:
Varies; stated at the time of fine