Driving in Italy vs. Serbia: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Italy and Serbia, understanding the distinct driving regulations is crucial for ensuring safety. Key differences include speed limits, alcohol tolerance, and traffic signaling practices. While Italian roads emphasize higher speed allowances, Serbia enforces stricter alcohol limits, making it essential for travelers to familiarize themselves with these driving nuances.
Lanes
| Italy | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
serbia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
serbia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Markings
italy:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
serbia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Speeds Limits
| Italy | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
90 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
130 km/h
serbia:
120 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
serbia:
Yes
Signals
| Italy | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used; prepare to go when green appears | Not used in Serbia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Italian; symbols are standard | Serbian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
serbia:
Not used in Serbia
Traffic Signs: Language
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
serbia:
Serbian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
serbia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Italy | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Varies by city; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
serbia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
serbia:
Varies by city; check for signs
Documentation
| Italy | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required |
| 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 | Mandatory periodic inspections |
| 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
serbia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
serbia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
serbia:
Mandatory periodic inspections
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
italy:
Displayed on license plate
serbia:
Displayed on windshield
Alcohol
| Italy | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; police regularly perform checks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Substantial, varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
italy:
0.05%
serbia:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
italy:
0.00%
serbia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
serbia:
Common; police regularly perform checks
Enforcement: Fines
italy:
Substantial
serbia:
Substantial, varies by severity
Emergency Services
| Italy | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 (State Police) | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 116 (ACI) | 1987 |
Contact: Traffic Police
italy:
113 (State Police)
serbia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
italy:
116 (ACI)
serbia:
1987
Penalties And Fines
| Italy | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension | Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; fines apply | €20 to €40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, strict enforcement | €30 to €50 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, may include points on license | €30 to €50, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible, especially for foreign drivers | Yes, possible for smaller fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days | Varies; typically 8 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
serbia:
Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
italy:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
serbia:
Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
italy:
Varies; fines apply
serbia:
€20 to €40
Common Fines: Phone Use
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
serbia:
€30 to €50
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
serbia:
€30 to €50, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
serbia:
Yes, possible for smaller fines
Payment: Deadline
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days
serbia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay