Driving in Croatia vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Croatia and North Macedonia, it's essential to understand the distinct rules and regulations that govern each country. From speed limits and lane usage to traffic signals and penalties, this comparison highlights key distinctions to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey. Discover how these neighboring nations differ in their approach to motoring etiquette and road safety.
Lanes
| Croatia | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced. | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
| 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
croatia:
Not commonly practiced.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Markings
croatia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
croatia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
croatia:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Croatia | 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 | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
80 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
130 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
croatia:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Signals
| Croatia | 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 |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| 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 | Croatian; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
croatia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
croatia:
Not used
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
croatia:
Signal when entering and exiting
north macedonia:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
croatia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
croatia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
croatia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
croatia:
Croatian; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
croatia:
Triangle with red border
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Croatia | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
croatia:
Not allowed
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
croatia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Croatia | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
croatia:
Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
croatia:
Displayed on windshield
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Croatia | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
croatia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Croatia | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Conducted at checkpoints |
Enforcement: Random Checks
croatia:
Common
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Emergency Services
| Croatia | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 92 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or check with your insurance provider | Contact local service providers |
Contact: Traffic Police
croatia:
92
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
croatia:
188 or check with your insurance provider
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Penalties And Fines
| Croatia | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines possible | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; stated at the time of fine | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
croatia:
Varies; significant fines possible
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
croatia:
Fines enforced
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
croatia:
Fines enforced
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
croatia:
Significant fines
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
croatia:
Yes, often
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
croatia:
Varies; stated at the time of fine
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay