Driving in Montenegro vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Montenegro and North Macedonia, it's essential to understand the distinct regulations and practices that ensure safe travel. Key contrasts include speed limits, turn regulations, and the use of alcohol while driving. Familiarizing yourself with these variations will enhance your safety and make your journey more enjoyable.
Lanes
| Montenegro | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations. | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with road signs and pavement markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
montenegro:
Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Markings
montenegro:
Labeled with road signs and pavement markings.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
montenegro:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
montenegro:
Not applicable
north macedonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
montenegro:
Not applicable
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Montenegro | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot | Yes |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
montenegro:
80 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
montenegro:
100 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
montenegro:
Not applicable
north macedonia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
montenegro:
Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
| Montenegro | 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 Montenegro | 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 | Montenegrin; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border and white background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
montenegro:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
montenegro:
Not used in Montenegro
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
montenegro:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
montenegro:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
montenegro:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
montenegro:
Montenegrin; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
montenegro:
Triangle-shaped with red border and white background
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Montenegro | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Sometimes allowed, check for signs | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
montenegro:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
montenegro:
Sometimes allowed, check for signs
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Montenegro | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays | 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 | Yes, periodic inspections required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
montenegro:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
montenegro:
International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
montenegro:
Yes, periodic inspections required
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
montenegro:
Displayed on windshield
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Montenegro | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use common but regulated | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
montenegro:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
montenegro:
Use common but regulated
north macedonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Montenegro | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
montenegro:
0.03%
north macedonia:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
montenegro:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
montenegro:
Varies; can be substantial
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Montenegro | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available from several organizations; check locally | Contact local service providers |
Contact: Traffic Police
montenegro:
122
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
montenegro:
Available from several organizations; check locally
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Penalties And Fines
| Montenegro | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, amount varies | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, amount varies | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, amount varies | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 8 days | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
montenegro:
Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
montenegro:
Common for minor offenses
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
montenegro:
Usually within 8 days
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay