Driving in Belize vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Belize and North Macedonia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experience. From speed limits and lane usage to alcohol tolerance, this comparison highlights crucial variations that can impact safety abroad. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure journey in either country.
Lanes
| Belize | 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
belize:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Presence
belize:
No
north macedonia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
belize:
N/A
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belize:
N/A
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
belize:
No
north macedonia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
belize:
N/A
north macedonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
belize:
N/A
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belize:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belize:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Belize | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-55 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-55 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-55 mph | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-65 mph | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 55-65 mph | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 55-65 mph | 80 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines are usually collected immediately | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
belize:
25 mph
north macedonia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belize:
25 mph
north macedonia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
40-55 mph
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belize:
40-55 mph
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
40-55 mph
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
55-65 mph
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belize:
55-65 mph
north macedonia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
55-65 mph
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Speed Units
belize:
mph
north macedonia:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belize:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
belize:
No
north macedonia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belize:
Yes, fines are usually collected immediately
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
| Belize | 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 Belize | 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 | English; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
belize:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belize:
Not used in Belize
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
belize:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
belize:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
belize:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
belize:
English; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
belize:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Belize | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited 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
belize:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
belize:
Varies by locality; check for signs
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Belize | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annually; proof may be required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belize:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belize:
Mandatory annually; proof may be required
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belize:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belize:
Not mandatory
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belize:
Not mandatory
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Belize | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
belize:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Belize | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used occasionally | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
belize:
0.08%
north macedonia:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
belize:
0.05%
north macedonia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
belize:
Zero tolerance
north macedonia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belize:
Less common; checkpoints used occasionally
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
belize:
Varies; can be substantial
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Belize | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact local service providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
belize:
911
north macedonia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
belize:
911
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belize:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belize:
Not mandatory, but recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belize:
Not mandatory, but recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Belize | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; BZD$100 to $500 | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; significant fines | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, fines are often collected immediately | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
belize:
Varies; BZD$100 to $500
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belize:
Fines for non-compliance
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
belize:
Fines for use without hands-free
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belize:
Varies; significant fines
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
belize:
Yes, fines are often collected immediately
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
belize:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay