Driving in Japan vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
Explore the unique nuances of road regulations in Japan and North Macedonia, two countries with distinct driving practices. From lane usage and speed limits to traffic signals and penalties, understanding these variations is vital for ensuring safety while navigating abroad. Prepare to uncover essential contrasts that can influence your driving experience in each location.
Lanes
| Japan | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, overtaking is done on the right. | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes 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 |
Driving Side
japan:
Left
north macedonia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
japan:
No
north macedonia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
japan:
Use leftmost lane.
north macedonia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
north macedonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
japan:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
north macedonia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Japan | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
japan:
40-50 km/h
north macedonia:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
60 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
japan:
60 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
60 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
80-100 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
japan:
80-100 km/h
north macedonia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
north macedonia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
north macedonia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
| Japan | 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 Japan | 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 | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
japan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
japan:
Not used in Japan
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
japan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
japan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
japan:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
japan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Japan | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | 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
japan:
Not allowed
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Japan | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required along with national license | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required along with national license | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
japan:
Displayed on license plate
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
japan:
Not mandatory
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Japan | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Generally used sparingly | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
japan:
To warn of hazards
north macedonia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
japan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
japan:
Generally used sparingly
north macedonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
japan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
north macedonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Japan | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Prohibited; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints may be set up | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
japan:
0.03%
north macedonia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
north macedonia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Japan | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or JAF | Contact local service providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
japan:
119
north macedonia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
japan:
110
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
japan:
Recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Japan | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, points on license | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines; enforceable | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Severe fines, points on license | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines, points on license | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid later | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
north macedonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
japan:
Fines; enforceable
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
japan:
Fines, points on license
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay