Driving in Finland vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
When driving in Finland and North Macedonia, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for ensuring safety. Key disparities include speed limits, lane usage, and traffic signal interpretations. While Finland embraces variable speed limits and cautious overtaking, North Macedonia maintains stricter rules, particularly regarding alcohol limits and licensing. Stay informed to navigate these diverse driving environments effectively.
Lanes
| Finland | 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
finland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Markings
finland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
finland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
finland:
Yes
north macedonia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Finland | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
finland:
30-40 km/h
north macedonia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
100-120 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80-100 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
finland:
Yes
north macedonia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits
north macedonia:
N/A
Signals
| Finland | 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 commonly used | 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 | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
finland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
finland:
Not commonly used
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
finland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
finland:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
finland:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Finland | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
finland:
Not generally allowed
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
finland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Finland | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory for certain situations | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
finland:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Finland | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
finland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Finland | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Test Refusal | Results in license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
finland:
0.02%
north macedonia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
finland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
north macedonia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Test Refusal
finland:
Results in license suspension
north macedonia:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Finland | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact through 112 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto | Contact local service providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
finland:
Contact through 112
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Finland | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on income | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, typically €85 | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, typically €100 | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; usually drive must pay later | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
finland:
Fines apply
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
finland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay