Driving Safety: Czech Republic vs. North Macedonia
As you prepare to navigate the roads of the Czech Republic or North Macedonia, understanding the distinct driving regulations and practices in each country is essential for a safe journey. Key differences include speed limits, lane markings, and the nuances of roundabout etiquette. Equip yourself with this knowledge to ensure a smooth and secure travel experience abroad.
Lanes
| Czech republic | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for marking no-parking zones. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary traffic situations. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
czech republic:
Used for marking no-parking zones.
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
czech republic:
Used for temporary traffic situations.
north macedonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
czech republic:
Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Markings
czech republic:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
czech republic:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
czech republic:
Yes
north macedonia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Czech republic | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly applied | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
czech republic:
20-30 km/h
north macedonia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
czech republic:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
czech republic:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
czech republic:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
czech republic:
130 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
czech republic:
80-90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
czech republic:
Yes
north macedonia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
north macedonia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
czech republic:
Yes, commonly applied
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
| Czech republic | 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: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents. | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas. | Prohibited in urban areas at night |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse. | Fines may apply for misuse |
| 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 |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Czech; symbols are standard. | Macedonian; standard symbols |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border. | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
czech republic:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
czech republic:
Not used.
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
czech republic:
Signal when entering and exiting
north macedonia:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
czech republic:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
north macedonia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
czech republic:
Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas.
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Horn Usage: Penalties
czech republic:
Fines may apply for misuse.
north macedonia:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
czech republic:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
czech republic:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
czech republic:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
north macedonia:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
czech republic:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
north macedonia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
czech republic:
Czech; symbols are standard.
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Priority
czech republic:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
north macedonia:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
Traffic Signs: Warning
czech republic:
Triangle-shaped with red border.
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Czech republic | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow. | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows. | Yes, marked with arrows |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited. | Prohibited |
Right Turn On Red
czech republic:
Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow.
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
Left Turn: General
czech republic:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
north macedonia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
czech republic:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
north macedonia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
czech republic:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Special Turn Lanes
czech republic:
Yes, marked with arrows.
north macedonia:
Yes, marked with arrows
Overtaking While Turning
czech republic:
Prohibited.
north macedonia:
Prohibited
Documentation
| Czech republic | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required. | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted without International Driving Permit. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended or required. | International Driving Permit required |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory. | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection mandatory. | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield. | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
czech republic:
Valid driver's license required.
north macedonia:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
czech republic:
Accepted without International Driving Permit.
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
czech republic:
International Driving Permit recommended or required.
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Insurance
czech republic:
Liability insurance mandatory.
north macedonia:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
czech republic:
Annual inspection mandatory.
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
czech republic:
Displayed on the windshield.
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
czech republic:
Mandatory.
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
czech republic:
Mandatory.
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Czech republic | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply. | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. | Common practice |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized. | Discouraged and may be penalized |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations. | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries. | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
czech republic:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
north macedonia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
czech republic:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
north macedonia:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
czech republic:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
north macedonia:
Common practice
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
czech republic:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
north macedonia:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
czech republic:
Only in emergency situations.
north macedonia:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
czech republic:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
north macedonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
czech republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
north macedonia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
czech republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
north macedonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
czech republic:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
north macedonia:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Czech republic | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability. | Check if medication affects driving ability |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, often at checkpoints. | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial. | Can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses. | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension. | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
czech republic:
0.00%
north macedonia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
czech republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
north macedonia:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
czech republic:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
north macedonia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
czech republic:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
north macedonia:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
czech republic:
Common, often at checkpoints.
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
czech republic:
Can be substantial.
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
czech republic:
Possible for severe offenses.
north macedonia:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
czech republic:
Can result in license suspension.
north macedonia:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Czech republic | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit. | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight. | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Priority: Entering
czech republic:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
north macedonia:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
czech republic:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
north macedonia:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
czech republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
north macedonia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
czech republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
north macedonia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
czech republic:
Use for first exit or straight.
north macedonia:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
czech republic:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
north macedonia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Czech republic | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 158 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance. | Contact local service providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
czech republic:
158
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
czech republic:
1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance.
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
czech republic:
Mandatory.
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
czech republic:
Mandatory.
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Czech republic | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity. | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €50 or more. | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €50 or more. | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €100 or higher, points on license. | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common, cash preferred. | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay. | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid. | Same as residents; must be paid |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid. | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
czech republic:
Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity.
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
czech republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
north macedonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
czech republic:
€50 or more.
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
czech republic:
€50 or more.
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
czech republic:
€100 or higher, points on license.
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
czech republic:
Common, cash preferred.
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
czech republic:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay.
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
czech republic:
Same as residents; must be paid.
north macedonia:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
czech republic:
Possible if fines are not paid.
north macedonia:
Possible if fines are not paid