Driving in El Salvador vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between El Salvador and North Macedonia. This comparison highlights crucial variations in speed limits, lane usage, and traffic signals, emphasizing the unique driving cultures of each nation. Whether you're planning a trip or simply curious, understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| El salvador | 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 '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. |
Overtaking: On Right
el salvador:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Markings
el salvador:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
el salvador:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
Speeds Limits
| El salvador | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 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 | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
el salvador:
20-40 km/h
north macedonia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
el salvador:
20-30 km/h
north macedonia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
north macedonia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
el salvador:
80-90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
el salvador:
No
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
| El salvador | 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 common in El Salvador | 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 | Spanish; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
el salvador:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
el salvador:
Not common in El Salvador
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
el salvador:
Signal when entering and exiting
north macedonia:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
el salvador:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
el salvador:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
el salvador:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
el salvador:
Spanish; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Turns
| El salvador | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| El salvador | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | 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 annual inspection | Annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
el salvador:
Mandatory annual inspection
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
el salvador:
Required
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
el salvador:
Recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| El salvador | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas to communicate | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Yield and make way | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
el salvador:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
el salvador:
Frequent use in some areas to communicate
north macedonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
el salvador:
Yield and make way
north macedonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| El salvador | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines and penalties | Can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
el salvador:
0.02%
north macedonia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
el salvador:
Common
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
el salvador:
Substantial fines and penalties
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| El salvador | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 120 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 121 | Contact local service providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
el salvador:
911
north macedonia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
el salvador:
120
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
el salvador:
121
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
el salvador:
Required
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
el salvador:
Recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| El salvador | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $20 to $100 | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $20 to $50 | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $30 to $100 | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $50 to $200 | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, frequently enforced | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
el salvador:
Varies; $20 to $100
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
el salvador:
$20 to $50
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
el salvador:
$30 to $100
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
el salvador:
$50 to $200
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
el salvador:
Yes, frequently enforced
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
el salvador:
Typically 30 days to pay
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay