Driving in Italy vs. Montenegro: Key Differences Explained
When comparing road regulations between Italy and Montenegro, drivers will encounter notable disparities that impact their travel experience. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and traffic signal practices. Understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a secure and compliant journey in either destination, helping travelers adapt to diverse driving customs.
Lanes
| Italy | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with road signs and pavement markings. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
montenegro:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
montenegro:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
italy:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
montenegro:
Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
italy:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
montenegro:
Labeled with road signs and pavement markings.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
italy:
N/A
montenegro:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
italy:
Yes
montenegro:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits.
montenegro:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Italy | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
90 km/h
montenegro:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
70 km/h
montenegro:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
130 km/h
montenegro:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
italy:
Yes
montenegro:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits
montenegro:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
montenegro:
Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot
Signals
| Italy | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used; prepare to go when green appears | Not used in Montenegro |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Italian; symbols are standard | Montenegrin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangle-shaped with red border and white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
montenegro:
Not used in Montenegro
Traffic Signs: Language
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
montenegro:
Montenegrin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
montenegro:
Triangle-shaped with red border and white background
Turns
| Italy | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Sometimes allowed, check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
montenegro:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
montenegro:
Sometimes allowed, check for signs
Documentation
| Italy | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old | Yes, periodic inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
italy:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
montenegro:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
montenegro:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
montenegro:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
italy:
Displayed on license plate
montenegro:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Italy | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Use common but regulated |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
italy:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
montenegro:
Use common but regulated
Alcohol
| Italy | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
italy:
0.05%
montenegro:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
montenegro:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
italy:
Substantial
montenegro:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Italy | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 (State Police) | 122 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 116 (ACI) | Available from several organizations; check locally |
Contact: Traffic Police
italy:
113 (State Police)
montenegro:
122
Contact: Roadside Assistance
italy:
116 (ACI)
montenegro:
Available from several organizations; check locally
Penalties And Fines
| Italy | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension | Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; fines apply | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, strict enforcement | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, may include points on license | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible, especially for foreign drivers | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days | Usually within 8 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
montenegro:
Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses
Common Fines: Seat Belts
italy:
Varies; fines apply
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Payment: On The Spot
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
montenegro:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days
montenegro:
Usually within 8 days