Driving in Lebanon vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
Explore the contrasts in road regulations and driving norms between Lebanon and North Macedonia. Key distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and the use of emergency equipment. Understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a secure and smooth journey while navigating the diverse driving landscapes of these two countries.
Lanes
Lebanon | North macedonia | |
---|---|---|
Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as a separation line in some areas. | 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: Presence | No | Yes |
Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. |
Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. |
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
north macedonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
north macedonia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
north macedonia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
north macedonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lebanon:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
Lebanon | North macedonia | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-80 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
north macedonia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
north macedonia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
north macedonia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Signals
Lebanon | 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 Lebanon | Prepare to go |
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas | 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 | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
lebanon:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
north macedonia:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
lebanon:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
lebanon:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
Lebanon | North macedonia | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
Lebanon | North macedonia | |
---|---|---|
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Annual inspection required |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
Lebanon | North macedonia | |
---|---|---|
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
lebanon:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
north macedonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
north macedonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
Lebanon | North macedonia | |
---|---|---|
Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Common through checkpoints | Conducted at checkpoints |
Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for violations | Can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
north macedonia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
north macedonia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
Lebanon | North macedonia | |
---|---|---|
Signaling: Entering | Signal when preparing to enter | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
north macedonia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
Lebanon | North macedonia | |
---|---|---|
Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 192 |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies; consult your insurance provider | Contact local service providers |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
lebanon:
112
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
Lebanon | North macedonia | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may lead to substantial fines | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
Common Fines: Alcohol | Fines and potential incarceration | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory for all passengers | 50 EUR |
Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free | 40 EUR |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | 250 EUR, points on license |
Payment: On The Spot | Possible; often paid at stations | Yes, often required |
Payment: Deadline | Usually within 15-30 days | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
north macedonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lebanon:
Substantial fines
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay