Driving Differences: Albania vs. Madagascar Explained
When venturing into the roads of Albania and Madagascar, understanding the nuances of their traffic regulations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol consumption laws, each presenting unique challenges. Equip yourself with this knowledge to navigate safely in these diverse driving environments.
Lanes
| Albania | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically not used. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Stay to the right lane when possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Available mainly in urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved mostly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | May be marked clearly in major cities. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Sparse |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicles unless marked. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes | Yes, when possible. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are fixed. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
albania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
madagascar:
Typically not used.
Overtaking: On Right
albania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
albania:
Use rightmost lane.
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
albania:
No
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
albania:
N/A
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
albania:
N/A
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
albania:
Yes
madagascar:
Sparse
Cycle Lanes: Usage
albania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
albania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
madagascar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
albania:
N/A
madagascar:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
albania:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
Speeds Limits
| Albania | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, particularly in urban areas. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be paid at the scene. | Yes, common. |
Urban Areas: Standard
albania:
40 km/h
madagascar:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
albania:
30 km/h
madagascar:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
albania:
70 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
70 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
110 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
albania:
90 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
90 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
madagascar:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
albania:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
albania:
Yes; fines can be paid at the scene.
madagascar:
Yes, common.
Signals
| Albania | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Albania | Not commonly used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | May apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian | French and Malagasy |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular signs with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
albania:
Not used in Albania
madagascar:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
albania:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
albania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
Horn Usage: Penalties
albania:
Fines may apply for misuse
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
albania:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
albania:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
albania:
Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
Traffic Signs: Warning
albania:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
Turns
| Albania | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Prohibited unless specified otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
albania:
Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign
madagascar:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
albania:
Varies by locality; check for signs
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
Documentation
| Albania | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| 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 for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Indication may vary |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
albania:
Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
albania:
Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
albania:
Mandatory; proof required
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
albania:
Displayed on windshield
madagascar:
Indication may vary
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
albania:
Mandatory
madagascar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Albania | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Use is more frequent in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Significantly used for communication with other drivers |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
albania:
To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake
madagascar:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
albania:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
albania:
Only in emergency situations
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
albania:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
Pedestrians Priority
albania:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
albania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
Alcohol
| Albania | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.01% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common in urban areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for violations | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Results in penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
albania:
0.01%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
albania:
0.00%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
albania:
0.00%; zero tolerance
madagascar:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
albania:
Common, especially during holidays
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
albania:
Substantial fines for violations
madagascar:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
albania:
Can result in license suspension
madagascar:
Results in penalties
Roundabouts
| Albania | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Not commonly practiced |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
albania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
Signaling: Exiting
albania:
Signal right when preparing to exit
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Albania | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 117 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 129 | Could vary; commonly police contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Varies by provider, public services might be limited |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
albania:
112
madagascar:
117
Contact: Traffic Police
albania:
129
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
albania:
Check with your insurance provider
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
albania:
Mandatory
madagascar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Albania | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines over 1,000 ALL | Fines applicable for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; potential fines and penalties | Fines applicable for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines over 5,000 ALL | Monetary fines applied |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Determined by issuing authority |
Common Fines: Speeding
albania:
Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
albania:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
Common Fines: Seat Belts
albania:
Fines over 1,000 ALL
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
albania:
Varies; potential fines and penalties
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
albania:
Fines over 5,000 ALL
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
Payment: On The Spot
albania:
Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
albania:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority