Driving in Germany vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
When exploring the distinct driving environments of Germany and North Macedonia, it's essential to understand their unique regulations and practices. From lane markings to speed limits, these countries showcase noteworthy contrasts. Whether you're navigating the autobahn's speed recommendations or adhering to North Macedonia's stricter rules, staying informed is vital for a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Germany | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored lane. | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
north macedonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Usage
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
germany:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
germany:
Yes
north macedonia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits.
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Germany | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum | 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 |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
100 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
germany:
80-100 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80-100 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
germany:
Yes
north macedonia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits
north macedonia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
germany:
Common
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
| Germany | 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 | Indicates the light is about to change to green | 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 | German; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
germany:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
germany:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
germany:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
germany:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
germany:
German; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Turns
| Germany | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Germany | 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 for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory, every 2 years | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on rear license plate | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
germany:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Germany | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
germany:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
germany:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
north macedonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Germany | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, varies by offense | Can be substantial |
Enforcement: Random Checks
germany:
Common
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Germany | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC | Contact local service providers |
Contact: Traffic Police
germany:
110
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Penalties And Fines
| Germany | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €30 to €60 | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €90 to €200, points on license | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
germany:
€30 to €60
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
germany:
€100, points on license
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
germany:
Common
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay