Driving in France vs. Montenegro: Key Differences Unveiled
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for ensuring safety. This comparison between France and Montenegro unveils notable contrasts, such as speed limits—130 km/h on highways in France versus 100 km/h in Montenegro—and unique lane markings. Equip yourself with this essential knowledge for a secure journey in these diverse driving landscapes.
Lanes
| France | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled with road signs and pavement markings. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
montenegro:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
montenegro:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
montenegro:
Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
montenegro:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
montenegro:
Labeled with road signs and pavement markings.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
france:
N/A
montenegro:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
montenegro:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
montenegro:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| France | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
130 km/h
montenegro:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
france:
90 km/h
montenegro:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
montenegro:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
montenegro:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
montenegro:
Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot
Signals
| France | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in France | Not used in Montenegro |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; symbols are standard | Montenegrin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border and white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
france:
Not used in France
montenegro:
Not used in Montenegro
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
montenegro:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
montenegro:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
montenegro:
Montenegrin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
montenegro:
Triangle-shaped with red border and white background
Turns
| France | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Sometimes allowed, check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
france:
Not allowed
montenegro:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
montenegro:
Sometimes allowed, check for signs
Documentation
| France | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically | Yes, periodic inspections required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
montenegro:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
montenegro:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
montenegro:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
montenegro:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| France | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | Use common but regulated |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
montenegro:
Use common but regulated
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
montenegro:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| France | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
france:
0.05%
montenegro:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
france:
0.02%
montenegro:
0.00%
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
montenegro:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| France | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
montenegro:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| France | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | 122 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | Available from several organizations; check locally |
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
montenegro:
122
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
montenegro:
Available from several organizations; check locally
Penalties And Fines
| France | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Usually within 8 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
montenegro:
Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
montenegro:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
montenegro:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
montenegro:
Usually within 8 days