Driving in Estonia vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of vehicle operation is crucial for ensuring safety on the roads. This comparison between Estonia and North Macedonia reveals distinct regulations, such as speed limits and traffic signals. Notably, Estonia employs variable speed limits, while North Macedonia adheres to stricter overtaking rules, making this knowledge essential for a secure journey.
Lanes
| Estonia | 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. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
estonia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Markings
estonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
estonia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
estonia:
Yes
north macedonia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Estonia | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 100 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 |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
estonia:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
north macedonia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80-90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
estonia:
Yes
north macedonia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits
north macedonia:
N/A
Signals
| Estonia | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| 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 Estonia | Prepare to go |
| 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 | Estonian; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
estonia:
Yellow
north macedonia:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
estonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
estonia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
estonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
estonia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
estonia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Estonia | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless indicated 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
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Estonia | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year; proof must be carried | Annual inspection required |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Road Etiquette
| Estonia | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
estonia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Estonia | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
estonia:
0.02%
north macedonia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
estonia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
north macedonia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
estonia:
Varies; can be substantial
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Estonia | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact local service providers |
Contact: Traffic Police
estonia:
112
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Penalties And Fines
| Estonia | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines apply | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
estonia:
Yes
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay