Driving in Montenegro vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Montenegro and the United Kingdom, distinct variations emerge that greatly impact your travel experience. From lane usage and speed limits to signal regulations, understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring safe and responsible driving. Discover the key contrasts between these two countries to enhance your journey abroad.
Lanes
| Montenegro | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with road signs and pavement markings. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
montenegro:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
montenegro:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
montenegro:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
montenegro:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
montenegro:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
montenegro:
Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
montenegro:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
montenegro:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
montenegro:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
montenegro:
Labeled with road signs and pavement markings.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
montenegro:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
montenegro:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
montenegro:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
montenegro:
Not applicable
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
montenegro:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
montenegro:
Not applicable
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Montenegro | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| 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 | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
montenegro:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
montenegro:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
montenegro:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
montenegro:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
montenegro:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
montenegro:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
montenegro:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
montenegro:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
montenegro:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
montenegro:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
montenegro:
Not applicable
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
montenegro:
Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Montenegro | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Montenegro | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Montenegrin; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border and white background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
montenegro:
Not used in Montenegro
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
montenegro:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
montenegro:
Montenegrin; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
montenegro:
Triangle-shaped with red border and white background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Montenegro | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Sometimes allowed, check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
montenegro:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
montenegro:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
montenegro:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
montenegro:
Sometimes allowed, check for signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Montenegro | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspections required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
montenegro:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
montenegro:
International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
montenegro:
Yes, periodic inspections required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
montenegro:
Displayed on windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
montenegro:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
montenegro:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Montenegro | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use common but regulated | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
montenegro:
Use common but regulated
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
montenegro:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Montenegro | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
montenegro:
0.03%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
montenegro:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
montenegro:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
montenegro:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
montenegro:
Varies; can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Montenegro | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
montenegro:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
montenegro:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Montenegro | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available from several organizations; check locally | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
montenegro:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
montenegro:
122
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
montenegro:
Available from several organizations; check locally
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
montenegro:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
montenegro:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Montenegro | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, amount varies | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, amount varies | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, amount varies | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 8 days | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
montenegro:
Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
montenegro:
Common for minor offenses
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
montenegro:
Usually within 8 days
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay