Driving in Germany vs. Serbia: Key Differences Explained
When venturing abroad, understanding the distinct regulations and practices of driving is essential for a safe journey. This comparison between Germany and Serbia unveils noteworthy contrasts, from lane markings and speed limits to traffic signals and documentation. Familiarize yourself with these variations to navigate confidently and securely in these two diverse countries.
Lanes
| Germany | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored lane. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
serbia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
serbia:
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.
serbia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
serbia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
serbia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
serbia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Germany | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
100 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
germany:
80-100 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80 km/h
serbia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
serbia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80-100 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
germany:
Common
serbia:
Yes
Signals
| Germany | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to change to green | Not used in Serbia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Serbian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
serbia:
Not used in Serbia
Traffic Signs: Language
germany:
German; symbols are standard
serbia:
Serbian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Germany | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs | Varies by city; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
serbia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
serbia:
Varies by city; check for signs
Documentation
| Germany | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required |
| 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 | Mandatory periodic inspections |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on rear license plate | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
germany:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
serbia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
serbia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
serbia:
Mandatory periodic inspections
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
serbia:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Germany | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
germany:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
serbia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Germany | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; police regularly perform checks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, varies by offense | Substantial, varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
germany:
0.05%
serbia:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
germany:
0.00%
serbia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
germany:
Common
serbia:
Common; police regularly perform checks
Enforcement: Fines
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
serbia:
Substantial, varies by severity
Emergency Services
| Germany | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC | 1987 |
Contact: Traffic Police
germany:
110
serbia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
serbia:
1987
Penalties And Fines
| Germany | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license | Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €30 to €60 | €20 to €40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | €30 to €50 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €90 to €200, points on license | €30 to €50, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes, possible for smaller fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay | Varies; typically 8 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
serbia:
Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
germany:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
serbia:
Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
germany:
€30 to €60
serbia:
€20 to €40
Common Fines: Phone Use
germany:
€100, points on license
serbia:
€30 to €50
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
serbia:
€30 to €50, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
germany:
Common
serbia:
Yes, possible for smaller fines
Payment: Deadline
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay
serbia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay