Driving in Albania vs. Italy: Key Differences Explained
When traversing the roads of Albania and Italy, understanding the distinct driving regulations is crucial for a secure journey. Key disparities include speed limits, lane markings, and the presence of bus lanes. Familiarizing yourself with these variations will enhance your road safety and ensure a more enjoyable travel experience in these diverse countries.
Lanes
| Albania | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. |
| 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
albania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
albania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
Bus Lanes: Presence
albania:
No
italy:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
albania:
N/A
italy:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
albania:
N/A
italy:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
albania:
No
italy:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Albania | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be paid at the scene. | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
albania:
40 km/h
italy:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
80 km/h
italy:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
albania:
70 km/h
italy:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
110 km/h
italy:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
albania:
90 km/h
italy:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
90 km/h
italy:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
albania:
No
italy:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
albania:
Yes; fines can be paid at the scene.
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Albania | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Albania | Used; prepare to go when green appears |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian | Italian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
albania:
Not used in Albania
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
Traffic Signs: Language
albania:
Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Albania | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
albania:
Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
Documentation
| Albania | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
albania:
Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended
italy:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
albania:
Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
albania:
Mandatory; proof required
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
albania:
Displayed on windshield
italy:
Displayed on license plate
Road Etiquette
| Albania | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
italy:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Alcohol
| Albania | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.01% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for violations | Substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
albania:
0.01%
italy:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
albania:
0.00%; zero tolerance
italy:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
albania:
Common, especially during holidays
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
albania:
Substantial fines for violations
italy:
Substantial
Emergency Services
| Albania | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 129 | 113 (State Police) |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 116 (ACI) |
Contact: Traffic Police
albania:
129
italy:
113 (State Police)
Contact: Roadside Assistance
albania:
Check with your insurance provider
italy:
116 (ACI)
Penalties And Fines
| Albania | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines over 1,000 ALL | Varies; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; potential fines and penalties | Fines apply, strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines over 5,000 ALL | Fines apply, may include points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene | Possible, especially for foreign drivers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
albania:
Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
albania:
Fines over 1,000 ALL
italy:
Varies; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
albania:
Varies; potential fines and penalties
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
albania:
Fines over 5,000 ALL
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
Payment: On The Spot
albania:
Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
Payment: Deadline
albania:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days