Driving in Italy vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
When comparing the road regulations of Italy and North Macedonia, distinct contrasts emerge that can significantly impact travelers’ experiences. From variable speed limits and lane markings to seatbelt penalties and emergency contact information, understanding these variances ensures safe navigation through each country's unique traffic environment. Prepare for a safer journey abroad with our insights!
Lanes
| Italy | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 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 | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
north macedonia:
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.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Markings
italy:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
italy:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
italy:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
italy:
Yes
north macedonia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits.
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Italy | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
130 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
italy:
Yes
north macedonia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits
north macedonia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
| Italy | 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 | Used; prepare to go when green appears | 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 | Italian; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
italy:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
italy:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
italy:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
italy:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Italy | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | 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
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Italy | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
italy:
Displayed on license plate
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Italy | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
italy:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Italy | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Can be substantial |
Enforcement: Random Checks
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
italy:
Substantial
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Italy | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 (State Police) | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 116 (ACI) | Contact local service providers |
Contact: Traffic Police
italy:
113 (State Police)
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
italy:
116 (ACI)
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Penalties And Fines
| Italy | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; fines apply | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, strict enforcement | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, may include points on license | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible, especially for foreign drivers | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
italy:
Varies; fines apply
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay