Driving in Brazil vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Brazil and North Macedonia, it's essential to understand the nuances in their driving regulations. From lane usage to speed limits and alcohol tolerance, these countries showcase distinct practices that impact motorist safety. This comparison will illuminate key disparities, ensuring you're well-informed for a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Brazil | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. |
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
north macedonia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
Urban Areas: Standard
brazil:
40-60 km/h
north macedonia:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
north macedonia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
80-100 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Signals
| Brazil | 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 Brazil | 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 | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
brazil:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
brazil:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
brazil:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
brazil:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Brazil | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
brazil:
Not allowed
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Brazil | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year for passenger vehicles | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brazil | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
brazil:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Brazil | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
north macedonia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
north macedonia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
north macedonia:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Brazil | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services | Contact local service providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, especially at night | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
north macedonia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
north macedonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay