Driving in Iceland vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
When venturing into new territories, understanding driving regulations is crucial for safe navigation. This comparison between Iceland and North Macedonia reveals notable distinctions, such as speed limits, lane usage, and traffic signal interpretations. Discover how these variations can impact your journey and enhance your road safety abroad.
Lanes
| Iceland | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. | 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. |
Overtaking: On Right
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
north macedonia:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h on gravel roads | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h on paved roads | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h on paved roads | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
100 km/h
Signals
| Iceland | 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 | N/A | Prepare to go |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Prohibited in urban areas at night |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| 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 |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | N/A | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Icelandic; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
iceland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
north macedonia:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
iceland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
north macedonia:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
iceland:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
iceland:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
north macedonia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Iceland | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Iceland | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Iceland | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
iceland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Iceland | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
north macedonia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
north macedonia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
north macedonia:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Iceland | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
north macedonia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
north macedonia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Contact local service providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay