Driving in Austria vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Austria and North Macedonia, understanding the variations in traffic regulations and practices is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and penalties that can impact your travel experience. This comparison will guide you in navigating these unique driving environments effectively.
Lanes
Austria | North macedonia | |
---|---|---|
Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | 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: Presence | Yes | No |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
north macedonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
austria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
north macedonia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
Austria | North macedonia | |
---|---|---|
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Yes |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
north macedonia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
north macedonia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
Austria | 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 | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Prepare to go |
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
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 | German; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
austria:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
north macedonia:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
austria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
austria:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
austria:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
Austria | North macedonia | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
Austria | North macedonia | |
---|---|---|
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Annual inspection required |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
Austria | North macedonia | |
---|---|---|
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
austria:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Alcohol
Austria | North macedonia | |
---|---|---|
Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Conducted at checkpoints |
Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
north macedonia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
north macedonia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
Austria | North macedonia | |
---|---|---|
Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 192 |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Contact local service providers |
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Penalties And Fines
Austria | North macedonia | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | 50 EUR |
Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | 40 EUR |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | 250 EUR, points on license |
Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes, often required |
Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay