Driving in Madagascar vs. Romania: Key Differences
When venturing into the roads of Madagascar or Romania, understanding their unique traffic regulations is crucial. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and the approach to overtaking. This comparison sheds light on essential practices that ensure a safer driving experience while navigating these diverse landscapes.
Lanes
| Madagascar | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically not used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Sparse | Limited, mainly in urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles unless marked. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes, when possible. | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are fixed. | Not commonly used |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
madagascar:
Typically not used.
romania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
romania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
romania:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
romania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
romania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
romania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Sparse
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
romania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
N/A
romania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
madagascar:
N/A
romania:
Not applicable
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
romania:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
romania:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Madagascar | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, particularly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common. | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
madagascar:
50 km/h
romania:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
romania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
romania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
romania:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
romania:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Not applicable
romania:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
romania:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
romania:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Madagascar | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Romania |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas |
| 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 or to indicate overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French and Malagasy | Romanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red borders | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
madagascar:
Not commonly used
romania:
Not used in Romania
Horn Usage: Allowed
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
romania:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
romania:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
romania:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
romania:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Madagascar | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless specified otherwise | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
madagascar:
Prohibited
romania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
Documentation
| Madagascar | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; 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 | Yes, periodic inspections 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
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
romania:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
madagascar:
Indication may vary
romania:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
romania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Madagascar | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| 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 | Moderate use expected |
| 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
romania:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
romania:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
romania:
Moderate use expected
Pedestrians Priority
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
romania:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
romania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Madagascar | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Considerable fines for offenses |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
Limits: Professional Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
romania:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
madagascar:
0.02%
romania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
madagascar:
Can be substantial
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
Test Refusal
madagascar:
Results in penalties
romania:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Madagascar | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
romania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
romania:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Madagascar | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 117 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Could vary; commonly police contact | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited | Call your insurance provider or a local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road |
Contact: General Emergency
madagascar:
117
romania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
madagascar:
Mandatory
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
Penalties And Fines
| Madagascar | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels | Hefty fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-use | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use while driving | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Monetary fines applied | Fines applicable; license points may be added |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank |
| Payment: Deadline | Determined by issuing authority | Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist |
Common Fines: Speeding
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
Payment: On The Spot
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
Payment: Deadline
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
madagascar:
Possible if fines are not paid
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist