Driving in Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. North Macedonia
When navigating the roads of Bosnia and Herzegovina compared to North Macedonia, drivers face distinct regulations and practices. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol levels for drivers. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience while driving in these beautiful Balkan countries.
Lanes
| Bosnia and herzegovina | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. |
Overtaking: On Right
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bosnia and herzegovina:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
Speeds Limits
| Bosnia and herzegovina | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, frequently used | Yes |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bosnia and herzegovina:
130 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bosnia and herzegovina:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, frequently used
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
| Bosnia and herzegovina | 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 | Prepare to go |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unreasonable use prohibited | Prohibited in urban areas at night |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to signal other messages |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bosnia and herzegovina:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bosnia and herzegovina:
Not used
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bosnia and herzegovina:
Unreasonable use prohibited
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Turns
| Bosnia and herzegovina | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by a sign | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed when not prohibited by a sign
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bosnia and herzegovina | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bosnia and herzegovina:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bosnia and herzegovina:
International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory annual inspection
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bosnia and herzegovina:
Displayed on windshield
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Bosnia and herzegovina | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bosnia and herzegovina:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Bosnia and herzegovina | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines possible | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.03%
north macedonia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.00%; zero tolerance
north macedonia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bosnia and herzegovina:
Common
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Substantial fines possible
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
bosnia and herzegovina:
Can result in license suspension and fines
north macedonia:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bosnia and herzegovina | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Usually provided by insurance | Contact local service providers |
Contact: Traffic Police
bosnia and herzegovina:
122
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually provided by insurance
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Penalties And Fines
| Bosnia and herzegovina | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; fines can be significant
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines applicable
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: Deadline
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay