Driving in Guatemala vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
Driving in Guatemala and North Macedonia presents unique challenges and regulations that travelers should be aware of. Key distinctions include overtaking rules—permitted in Guatemala but restricted in North Macedonia—and the presence of bus lanes. Understanding these variations can significantly impact one's experience and enhance road safety while navigating abroad.
Lanes
| Guatemala | 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
guatemala:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
north macedonia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
north macedonia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
north macedonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
guatemala:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
north macedonia:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
north macedonia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
| Guatemala | 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 Guatemala | 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 | Spanish; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
guatemala:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
guatemala:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
guatemala:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
guatemala:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Turns
| Guatemala | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Guatemala | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | 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 | Mandatory; proof may be required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
guatemala:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
north macedonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Guatemala | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact local service providers |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
north macedonia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay