Driving in Madagascar vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Madagascar and North Macedonia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and customs that influence their travel experience. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane etiquette, and enforcement measures. Understanding these driving nuances is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Madagascar | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically not used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Stay to the right lane when possible. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Available mainly in urban areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved mostly for buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be marked clearly in major cities. | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Sparse | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles unless marked. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes, when possible. | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are fixed. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
madagascar:
Typically not used.
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
north macedonia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
north macedonia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Sparse
north macedonia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
north macedonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
N/A
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
north macedonia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Madagascar | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 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 |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, particularly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
madagascar:
50 km/h
north macedonia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
north macedonia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Not applicable
north macedonia:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
north macedonia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
| Madagascar | 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 commonly used | Prepare to go |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged | Prohibited in urban areas at night |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | May apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers or signal 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 |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French and Malagasy | Macedonian; standard symbols |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
madagascar:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
madagascar:
Not commonly used
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Allowed
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
north macedonia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Horn Usage: Penalties
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
north macedonia:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
madagascar:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
north macedonia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Madagascar | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless specified otherwise | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
madagascar:
Prohibited
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Madagascar | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | 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 | Mandatory for all vehicles | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Indication may vary | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
madagascar:
Indication may vary
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Madagascar | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Use is more frequent in urban areas | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Significantly used for communication with other drivers | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Limited
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
north macedonia:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
north macedonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
north macedonia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
north macedonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Madagascar | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
north macedonia:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
north macedonia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
madagascar:
0.02%
north macedonia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Test Refusal
madagascar:
Results in penalties
north macedonia:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Madagascar | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Not commonly practiced | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
north macedonia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
north macedonia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Madagascar | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 117 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Could vary; commonly police contact | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited | Contact local service providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
madagascar:
117
north macedonia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Madagascar | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-use | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use while driving | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Monetary fines applied | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Determined by issuing authority | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
north macedonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay