Driving in Denmark vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Denmark and North Macedonia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence safety and compliance. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane usage, and the approach to traffic signals. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable driving experience in each country.
Lanes
| Denmark | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used temporarily in construction zones. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic. | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions. | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
denmark:
Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways.
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
denmark:
Used temporarily in construction zones.
north macedonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
denmark:
Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Usage
denmark:
Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis.
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
denmark:
Not applicable
north macedonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
denmark:
Yes
north macedonia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
denmark:
Electronic signs display current limits.
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Denmark | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 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, for minor offenses. | Yes |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
denmark:
80 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
110-130 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
denmark:
90-100 km/h
north macedonia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
denmark:
Yes
north macedonia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
denmark:
Electronic signs display current limits
north macedonia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
denmark:
Yes, for minor offenses.
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
| Denmark | 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 | Used before green. | 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 | Danish; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
denmark:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
denmark:
Used before green.
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
denmark:
Signal when entering and exiting
north macedonia:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
denmark:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
denmark:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
denmark:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
denmark:
Danish; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
denmark:
Triangular with red border
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Denmark | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign. | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
denmark:
Not allowed
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
Left Turn: General
denmark:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians.
north macedonia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
denmark:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign.
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Denmark | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles | Annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
denmark:
Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
denmark:
International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
denmark:
Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Denmark | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
denmark:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Denmark | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; carried out by the police | Conducted at checkpoints |
Limits: Professional Drivers
denmark:
0.02%
north macedonia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
denmark:
0.00%; zero tolerance
north macedonia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
denmark:
Common; carried out by the police
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Roundabouts
| Denmark | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if taking any exit other than first | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
denmark:
Signal left if taking any exit other than first
north macedonia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Denmark | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact general emergency to report traffic issues | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurer or patrol services | Contact local service providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
denmark:
Contact general emergency to report traffic issues
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
denmark:
Contact your insurer or patrol services
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended but not mandatory
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Denmark | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free required | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and possible license points | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 days | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
denmark:
Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
denmark:
Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail
north macedonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
denmark:
Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
denmark:
Fines apply, use of hands-free required
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
denmark:
Significant fines and possible license points
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
denmark:
Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
denmark:
Varies; typically within 14 days
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay