Driving in Greece vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
When exploring the roadways of Greece and North Macedonia, it's essential to understand their distinct motoring regulations and safety protocols. From speed limits and lane usage to alcohol restrictions, both nations present unique driving landscapes. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can significantly enhance your journey and ensure a safer experience behind the wheel.
Lanes
| Greece | 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
north macedonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Greece | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Yes |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
north macedonia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
| Greece | 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 Greece | Prepare to go |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary | 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 | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
greece:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
greece:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
greece:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Greece | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Greece | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Greece | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
greece:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Greece | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police may set up roadblocks | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
north macedonia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
north macedonia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
north macedonia:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Greece | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Contact local service providers |
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay