Driving in Albania vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Albania and the United Kingdom, drivers encounter notable distinctions in regulations and practices. With Albania driving on the right and the UK on the left, understanding lane markings and speed limits is crucial for safe travel. This comparison highlights essential variations, ensuring you remain informed and secure while exploring these unique landscapes.
Lanes
| Albania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
albania:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
albania:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
albania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
albania:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
albania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
albania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
albania:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
albania:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
albania:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
albania:
N/A
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
albania:
N/A
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
albania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
albania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
albania:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
albania:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
albania:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Albania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| 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. | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
albania:
40 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
albania:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
albania:
70 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
70 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
110 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
albania:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
albania:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
albania:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
albania:
Yes; fines can be paid at the scene.
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Albania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Albania | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
albania:
Not used in Albania
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
albania:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
albania:
Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
albania:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Albania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
albania:
Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
albania:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
albania:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
albania:
Varies by locality; check for signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Albania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
albania:
Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
albania:
Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
albania:
Mandatory; proof required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
albania:
Displayed on windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
albania:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
albania:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Albania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
albania:
To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake
united kingdom:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
albania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Albania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.01% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for violations | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
albania:
0.01%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
albania:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
albania:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
albania:
Common, especially during holidays
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
albania:
Substantial fines for violations
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Albania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
albania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
albania:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Albania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 129 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
albania:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
albania:
129
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
albania:
Check with your insurance provider
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
albania:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
albania:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Albania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines over 1,000 ALL | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; potential fines and penalties | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines over 5,000 ALL | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
albania:
Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
albania:
Fines over 1,000 ALL
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
albania:
Varies; potential fines and penalties
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
albania:
Fines over 5,000 ALL
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
albania:
Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
albania:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay