Driving Safety: Costa Rica vs. North Macedonia
As you prepare for a journey, understanding the nuances of driving regulations can be vital. This comparison between Costa Rica and North Macedonia reveals significant distinctions, from overtaking rules and speed limits to the usage of emergency equipment and penalties. Knowledge of these variances ensures a safer and more informed driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Costa rica | 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 | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
north macedonia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
north macedonia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
north macedonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
north macedonia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
north macedonia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
north macedonia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
north macedonia:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
north macedonia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
| Costa rica | 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 Costa Rica | Prepare to go |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | 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 | Spanish; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
costa rica:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
costa rica:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
costa rica:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Turns
| Costa rica | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | 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 inspection required; proof required | Annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
costa rica:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
north macedonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Costa rica | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Can be substantial |
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Contact local service providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
north macedonia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
north macedonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay