Driving in Lithuania vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Lithuania and North Macedonia, understanding their unique traffic regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and rules regarding alcohol consumption. This comparison will help travelers adapt their driving habits and ensure they stay secure while exploring these diverse nations.
Lanes
| Lithuania | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separation of opposing traffic directions. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Passing permitted with caution. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
lithuania:
Separation of opposing traffic directions.
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lithuania:
Passing permitted with caution.
north macedonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
lithuania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Usage
lithuania:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lithuania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lithuania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lithuania:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lithuania:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Lithuania | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, issued by police. | Yes |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lithuania:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lithuania:
130 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
lithuania:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lithuania:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lithuania:
Yes, issued by police.
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
| Lithuania | 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 | Indicates prepared to start | Prepare to go |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | 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 | Lithuanian; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
lithuania:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
lithuania:
Indicates prepared to start
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lithuania:
Unnecessary use discouraged
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
lithuania:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
lithuania:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
lithuania:
Lithuanian; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Turns
| Lithuania | 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
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Lithuania | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual check | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lithuania:
Mandatory annual check
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lithuania:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Alcohol
| Lithuania | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, particularly at night and weekends | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies based on BAC level | Can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
lithuania:
0.04%
north macedonia:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
lithuania:
Common, particularly at night and weekends
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
lithuania:
Substantial; varies based on BAC level
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
lithuania:
Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses
north macedonia:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
lithuania:
Results in penalties and license suspension
north macedonia:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Lithuania | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Contact local service providers |
Contact: Traffic Police
lithuania:
112
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lithuania:
Contact your insurance provider
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Penalties And Fines
| Lithuania | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines apply | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free device required | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, by police | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
lithuania:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
lithuania:
High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment
north macedonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lithuania:
Mandatory, fines apply
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
lithuania:
Fines apply, use of hands-free device required
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lithuania:
Fines apply
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
lithuania:
Yes, by police
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
lithuania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay