Driving in France vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of France and North Macedonia, understanding their unique regulations is crucial for a safe journey. From lane markings and speed limits to the nuances of traffic signals and penalties, these nations showcase distinct driving practices. Prepare to navigate their roads with confidence by familiarizing yourself with these vital contrasts.
Lanes
| France | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
| 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 '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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
north macedonia:
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.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
france:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
north macedonia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| France | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 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 | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
france:
80 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
130 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
france:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
north macedonia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
north macedonia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
| France | 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 France | Prepare to go |
| 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 | 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 | French; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
france:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
france:
Not used in France
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
north macedonia:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
france:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
france:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| France | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
france:
Not allowed
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| France | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | 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 | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| 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
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
france:
Displayed on windshield
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| France | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
france:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
north macedonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
north macedonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| France | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Conducted at checkpoints |
Limits: Professional Drivers
france:
0.02%
north macedonia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Roundabouts
| France | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
north macedonia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| France | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | Contact local service providers |
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Penalties And Fines
| France | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
north macedonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay