Driving in Albania vs. Serbia: Key Safety Differences
When comparing the driving conditions in Albania and Serbia, notable contrasts emerge. While Serbia features dedicated bus lanes and variable speed limits, Albania lacks these systems. Additionally, alcohol limits differ, with Serbia permitting a higher threshold. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a safe and smooth journey in either country.
Lanes
| Albania | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Bus Lanes: Presence
albania:
No
serbia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
albania:
N/A
serbia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
albania:
N/A
serbia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
albania:
No
serbia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
serbia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Albania | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: 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. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
albania:
40 km/h
serbia:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
albania:
70 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
110 km/h
serbia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
albania:
90 km/h
serbia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
90 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
albania:
No
serbia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
serbia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
albania:
Yes; fines can be paid at the scene.
serbia:
Yes
Signals
| Albania | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Albania | Not used in Serbia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian | 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
serbia:
Not used in Serbia
Traffic Signs: Language
albania:
Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian
serbia:
Serbian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
albania:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
serbia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Albania | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies by city; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
albania:
Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign
serbia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
albania:
Varies by locality; check for signs
serbia:
Varies by city; check for signs
Documentation
| Albania | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Mandatory periodic inspections |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
albania:
Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended
serbia:
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
serbia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
albania:
Mandatory; proof required
serbia:
Mandatory periodic inspections
Road Etiquette
| Albania | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
serbia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Alcohol
| Albania | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common; police regularly perform checks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for violations | Substantial, varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
albania:
0.01%
serbia:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
albania:
Common, especially during holidays
serbia:
Common; police regularly perform checks
Enforcement: Fines
albania:
Substantial fines for violations
serbia:
Substantial, varies by severity
Emergency Services
| Albania | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 129 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 1987 |
Contact: Traffic Police
albania:
129
serbia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
albania:
Check with your insurance provider
serbia:
1987
Penalties And Fines
| Albania | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL | Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines over 1,000 ALL | €20 to €40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; potential fines and penalties | €30 to €50 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines over 5,000 ALL | €30 to €50, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene | Yes, possible for smaller fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 8 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
albania:
Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL
serbia:
Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
albania:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
serbia:
Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
albania:
Fines over 1,000 ALL
serbia:
€20 to €40
Common Fines: Phone Use
albania:
Varies; potential fines and penalties
serbia:
€30 to €50
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
albania:
Fines over 5,000 ALL
serbia:
€30 to €50, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
albania:
Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene
serbia:
Yes, possible for smaller fines
Payment: Deadline
albania:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
serbia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay