Azerbaijan vs North Macedonia: Driving Differences Explained
Azerbaijan and North Macedonia showcase distinct driving practices that every traveler should be aware of. Key variations include lane markings, speed regulations, and alcohol limits. Understanding these nuances is vital for ensuring a secure and compliant journey in either country, enabling drivers to navigate with confidence and ease.
Lanes
| Azerbaijan | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the center on undivided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | In some cases, such as if the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved primarily for buses and sometimes other public transport vehicles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked by road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mainly in major cities and occasionally shared with bus lanes. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Often designated for buses and public transport. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
azerbaijan:
Marks the center on undivided roads.
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
azerbaijan:
In some cases, such as if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Usage
azerbaijan:
Reserved primarily for buses and sometimes other public transport vehicles.
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
azerbaijan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked by road signs.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
azerbaijan:
Limited
north macedonia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
azerbaijan:
Mainly in major cities and occasionally shared with bus lanes.
north macedonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
azerbaijan:
N/A
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
azerbaijan:
Limited
north macedonia:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
azerbaijan:
Often designated for buses and public transport.
north macedonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
azerbaijan:
Yes
north macedonia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
azerbaijan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Azerbaijan | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 110 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 practice; fines can also be mailed. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
azerbaijan:
40-60 km/h
north macedonia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
azerbaijan:
20 km/h
north macedonia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
azerbaijan:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
azerbaijan:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
azerbaijan:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
north macedonia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
azerbaijan:
Yes
north macedonia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
azerbaijan:
Electronic signs display current limits
north macedonia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
azerbaijan:
Common practice; fines can also be mailed.
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
| Azerbaijan | 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 Azerbaijan | 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 | Azerbaijani; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
azerbaijan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
azerbaijan:
Not used in Azerbaijan
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
azerbaijan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
azerbaijan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
azerbaijan:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
azerbaijan:
Azerbaijani; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Turns
| Azerbaijan | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed, unless a green arrow is shown | 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
azerbaijan:
Generally not allowed, unless a green arrow is shown
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
azerbaijan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Azerbaijan | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual technical inspection required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Provided upon successful inspection | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
azerbaijan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
azerbaijan:
Annual technical inspection required
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
azerbaijan:
Provided upon successful inspection
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Azerbaijan | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
azerbaijan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
azerbaijan:
Moderate use compared to some countries
north macedonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Azerbaijan | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasional; fines and penalties apply | Conducted at checkpoints |
Limits: General Drivers
azerbaijan:
0.03%
north macedonia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
azerbaijan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
north macedonia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
azerbaijan:
Occasional; fines and penalties apply
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Emergency Services
| Azerbaijan | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 102 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Call your insurance provider or local service | Contact local service providers |
Contact: Traffic Police
azerbaijan:
102
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
azerbaijan:
Call your insurance provider or local service
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Penalties And Fines
| Azerbaijan | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant depending on excess speed | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Significant fines | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Significant fines, possible license points | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, points on license | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; and fines can also be paid online or by mail | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
azerbaijan:
Varies; can be significant depending on excess speed
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
azerbaijan:
Significant fines
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
azerbaijan:
Significant fines, possible license points
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
azerbaijan:
Significant fines, points on license
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
azerbaijan:
Possible; and fines can also be paid online or by mail
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
azerbaijan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay