Driving in Ecuador vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
When it comes to navigating the roads, driving regulations can vary significantly between countries. This comparison between Ecuador and North Macedonia reveals crucial distinctions, such as speed limits, lane usage, and emergency protocols. Understanding these driving nuances is essential for ensuring a safe journey abroad and navigating each nation’s unique traffic landscape.
Lanes
| Ecuador | 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: Markings | Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas. | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motor vehicles in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. |
Overtaking: On Right
ecuador:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ecuador:
Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ecuador:
Limited
north macedonia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ecuador:
Shared with motor vehicles in some areas.
north macedonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ecuador:
N/A
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
Speeds Limits
| Ecuador | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 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 |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; often applied for traffic violations. | Yes |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ecuador:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ecuador:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ecuador:
100 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ecuador:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ecuador:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ecuador:
Yes; often applied for traffic violations.
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
| Ecuador | 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 Ecuador | Prepare to go |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. | Prohibited in urban areas at night |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | 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 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard. | Macedonian; standard symbols |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with white background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ecuador:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ecuador:
Not used in Ecuador
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ecuador:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Horn Usage: Penalties
ecuador:
N/A
north macedonia:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
ecuador:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
ecuador:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
ecuador:
Spanish; symbols are standard.
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
ecuador:
Triangle-shaped with white background
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Ecuador | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits. | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal. | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
ecuador:
Prohibited unless a sign permits.
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
ecuador:
Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal.
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Ecuador | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection is mandatory | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield. | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ecuador:
Annual inspection is mandatory
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ecuador:
Displayed on the windshield.
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Ecuador | 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 | Frequent use in urban areas. | 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
ecuador:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
north macedonia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
ecuador:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
north macedonia:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
ecuador:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
north macedonia:
Common practice
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
ecuador:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
north macedonia:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
ecuador:
Only in emergency situations.
north macedonia:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ecuador:
Frequent use in urban areas.
north macedonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
ecuador:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
north macedonia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ecuador:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
north macedonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
ecuador:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
north macedonia:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Ecuador | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| 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; police frequently set up checkpoints. | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; significant fines imposed. | 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
ecuador:
0.03%
north macedonia:
0.05%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
ecuador:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
north macedonia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
ecuador:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
north macedonia:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
ecuador:
Common; police frequently set up checkpoints.
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
ecuador:
Varies; significant fines imposed.
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
ecuador:
Possible for severe offenses.
north macedonia:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
ecuador:
Can result in license suspension.
north macedonia:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Ecuador | 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
ecuador:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
north macedonia:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
ecuador:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
north macedonia:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
ecuador:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
north macedonia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
ecuador:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
north macedonia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
ecuador:
Use for first exit or straight.
north macedonia:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
ecuador:
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
| Ecuador | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 or 112 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Use general emergency numbers. | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available through insurance companies or auto clubs. | Contact local service providers |
Contact: General Emergency
ecuador:
911 or 112
north macedonia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ecuador:
Use general emergency numbers.
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ecuador:
Available through insurance companies or auto clubs.
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Penalties And Fines
| Ecuador | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial based on speed. | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines and possible imprisonment. | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts. | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; varies by infraction. | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Hefty fines for violations. | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; often required. | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties. | 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
ecuador:
Varies; can be substantial based on speed.
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
ecuador:
Severe fines and possible imprisonment.
north macedonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ecuador:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts.
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
ecuador:
Fines apply; varies by infraction.
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ecuador:
Hefty fines for violations.
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ecuador:
Yes; often required.
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
ecuador:
Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties.
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
ecuador:
Same as residents; must be paid.
north macedonia:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
ecuador:
Possible if fines are not paid.
north macedonia:
Possible if fines are not paid