Driving in Libya vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
When considering a journey in Libya or North Macedonia, understanding the nuances of their road regulations is crucial. While Libya enforces strict no overtaking rules, North Macedonia features designated bus and cycle lanes. Additionally, speed limits differ significantly, reflecting each country's unique approach to vehicular safety. Awareness of these distinctions ensures a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Libya | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the separation between directions on some roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not commonly designated. | 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 | Not commonly designated. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Generally not used. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
libya:
Marks the separation between directions on some roads.
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
libya:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
north macedonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
libya:
Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Presence
libya:
No
north macedonia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
libya:
Not commonly designated.
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
libya:
N/A
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
libya:
No
north macedonia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
libya:
Not commonly designated.
north macedonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
libya:
N/A
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
libya:
Not applicable
north macedonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
libya:
Generally not used.
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Libya | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Generally not used. | N/A |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
libya:
40 km/h
north macedonia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
libya:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
libya:
100 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
libya:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
libya:
Generally not used.
north macedonia:
N/A
Signals
| Libya | 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 Libya | 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 | Arabic | Macedonian; standard symbols |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
libya:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
libya:
Not used in Libya
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
libya:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
libya:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
libya:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
libya:
Arabic
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Turns
| Libya | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless specified | 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
libya:
Generally not allowed unless specified
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
libya:
Varies by locality; check for signs
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Libya | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required for registration and periodically thereafter | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
libya:
International Driving Permit required
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
libya:
International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
libya:
Required for registration and periodically thereafter
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
libya:
Displayed on windshield
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
libya:
Recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
libya:
Recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Libya | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
libya:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Libya | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Possible; checkpoints used in some areas | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
libya:
0.00%
north macedonia:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
libya:
Possible; checkpoints used in some areas
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
libya:
Varies; can be substantial
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Libya | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 193 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by area | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact local service providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
libya:
193
north macedonia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
libya:
Varies by area
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
libya:
Check with your insurance provider
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
libya:
Recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
libya:
Recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Libya | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on severity | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines may apply | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required within 30 days | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
libya:
Varies; fines based on severity
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
libya:
Fines may apply
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
libya:
Fines may apply
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
libya:
Fines may apply
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
libya:
Possible
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
libya:
Varies; typically required within 30 days
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay