Driving in Albania vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Albania and North Macedonia, travelers will encounter distinct regulations that shape their driving experience. Key disparities include speed limits, lane usage, and traffic signal protocols. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure journey and avoiding potential pitfalls on your adventures in these neighboring countries.
Lanes
| Albania | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. |
| 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.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Presence
albania:
No
north macedonia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
albania:
N/A
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
albania:
N/A
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
albania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
albania:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Albania | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 120 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: 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
north macedonia:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
albania:
70 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
110 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
albania:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
albania:
Yes; fines can be paid at the scene.
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
| Albania | 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 Albania | 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 | Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian | Macedonian; standard symbols |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
albania:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
albania:
Not used in Albania
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
albania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
albania:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
albania:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
albania:
Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
albania:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Albania | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
albania:
Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
albania:
Varies by locality; check for signs
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Albania | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
albania:
Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
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
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
albania:
Mandatory; proof required
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
albania:
Displayed on windshield
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Albania | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Flashing Lights: Usage
albania:
To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake
north macedonia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
albania:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Albania | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.01% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for violations | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
albania:
0.01%
north macedonia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
albania:
0.00%; zero tolerance
north macedonia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
albania:
Common, especially during holidays
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
albania:
Substantial fines for violations
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Albania | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 129 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact local service providers |
Contact: Traffic Police
albania:
129
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
albania:
Check with your insurance provider
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Penalties And Fines
| Albania | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines over 1,000 ALL | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; potential fines and penalties | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines over 5,000 ALL | 250 EUR, points on license |
| 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 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
albania:
Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
albania:
Fines over 1,000 ALL
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
albania:
Varies; potential fines and penalties
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
albania:
Fines over 5,000 ALL
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
albania:
Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
albania:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay