Driving Differences: Bulgaria vs. North Macedonia
When navigating the roads of Bulgaria and North Macedonia, understanding their unique traffic regulations is essential for ensuring a secure journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and documentation requirements. Familiarizing yourself with these variances can significantly enhance your driving experience and promote safety while abroad.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | 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: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | 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. |
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Signals
| Bulgaria | 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 Bulgaria | 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 | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bulgaria:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bulgaria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
bulgaria:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bulgaria:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bulgaria | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bulgaria | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bulgaria:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Can be substantial |
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Contact local service providers |
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay