Driving in Montenegro vs. Serbia: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Montenegro and Serbia, it's essential to understand their unique traffic regulations and safety protocols. Key distinctions include speed limits, overtaking rules, and documentation requirements. Whether you're navigating bustling city streets or tranquil rural paths, being informed ensures a safer journey in these captivating Balkan nations.
Lanes
| Montenegro | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with road signs and pavement markings. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
montenegro:
Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations.
serbia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Markings
montenegro:
Labeled with road signs and pavement markings.
serbia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
montenegro:
Not applicable
serbia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
montenegro:
No
serbia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
montenegro:
Not applicable
serbia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Montenegro | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot | Yes |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
montenegro:
80 km/h
serbia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
montenegro:
100 km/h
serbia:
120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
montenegro:
No
serbia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
montenegro:
Not applicable
serbia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
montenegro:
Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot
serbia:
Yes
Signals
| Montenegro | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Montenegro | Not used in Serbia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Montenegrin; symbols are standard | Serbian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border and white background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
montenegro:
Not used in Montenegro
serbia:
Not used in Serbia
Traffic Signs: Language
montenegro:
Montenegrin; symbols are standard
serbia:
Serbian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
montenegro:
Triangle-shaped with red border and white background
serbia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Montenegro | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Sometimes allowed, check for signs | Varies by city; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
montenegro:
Sometimes allowed, check for signs
serbia:
Varies by city; check for signs
Documentation
| Montenegro | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspections required | Mandatory periodic inspections |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
montenegro:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays
serbia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
montenegro:
International Driving Permit recommended
serbia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
montenegro:
Yes, periodic inspections required
serbia:
Mandatory periodic inspections
Road Etiquette
| Montenegro | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use common but regulated | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
montenegro:
Use common but regulated
serbia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Montenegro | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; police regularly perform checks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial, varies by severity |
Limits: Underage Drivers
montenegro:
0.00%
serbia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
montenegro:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
serbia:
Common; police regularly perform checks
Enforcement: Fines
montenegro:
Varies; can be substantial
serbia:
Substantial, varies by severity
Emergency Services
| Montenegro | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available from several organizations; check locally | 1987 |
Contact: Traffic Police
montenegro:
122
serbia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
montenegro:
Available from several organizations; check locally
serbia:
1987
Penalties And Fines
| Montenegro | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses | Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, amount varies | €20 to €40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, amount varies | €30 to €50 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, amount varies | €30 to €50, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Yes, possible for smaller fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 8 days | Varies; typically 8 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
montenegro:
Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses
serbia:
Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
montenegro:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
serbia:
Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
serbia:
€20 to €40
Common Fines: Phone Use
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
serbia:
€30 to €50
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
serbia:
€30 to €50, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
montenegro:
Common for minor offenses
serbia:
Yes, possible for smaller fines
Payment: Deadline
montenegro:
Usually within 8 days
serbia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay