Driving Differences: Mozambique vs. North Macedonia
When exploring the roads of Mozambique and North Macedonia, it's crucial to understand their distinct traffic regulations and practices. Key differences include Mozambique's left-side driving, while North Macedonia adheres to right-side norms. Additionally, varying speed limits and lane usage rules underscore the importance of familiarizing oneself with each country's unique driving culture for safer travels.
Lanes
| Mozambique | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Centers the road for no-passing zones. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
mozambique:
Left
north macedonia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
mozambique:
Centers the road for no-passing zones.
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
mozambique:
Not allowed.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
mozambique:
Use leftmost lane.
north macedonia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
mozambique:
No
north macedonia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
mozambique:
N/A
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
mozambique:
N/A
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
mozambique:
No
north macedonia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mozambique:
N/A
north macedonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
mozambique:
N/A
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
mozambique:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mozambique:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Mozambique | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
mozambique:
60 km/h
north macedonia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
mozambique:
40 km/h
north macedonia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
mozambique:
80 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
mozambique:
100 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mozambique:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Signals
| Mozambique | 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 Mozambique | 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 | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
mozambique:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
mozambique:
Not used in Mozambique
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
mozambique:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
mozambique:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
mozambique:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
mozambique:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
mozambique:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Mozambique | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed otherwise. | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed where not prohibited by signs | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
mozambique:
Not allowed unless signed otherwise.
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
mozambique:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Mozambique | 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 | Annually | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
mozambique:
International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
mozambique:
International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mozambique:
Annually
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
mozambique:
Displayed on windshield
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Mozambique | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
mozambique:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
mozambique:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
north macedonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Mozambique | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.06% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially in urban areas | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
mozambique:
0.06%
north macedonia:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
mozambique:
0.02%
north macedonia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
mozambique:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
north macedonia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
mozambique:
Common, especially in urban areas
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
mozambique:
Varies; can be substantial
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Mozambique | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 121 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact local service providers |
Contact: General Emergency
mozambique:
119
north macedonia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
mozambique:
121
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mozambique:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Penalties And Fines
| Mozambique | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid on the spot | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required immediately or within a short period, | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
mozambique:
Varies; fines can be significant
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mozambique:
Fines apply
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
mozambique:
Fines apply
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mozambique:
Fines apply, points on license
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
mozambique:
Common; fines often paid on the spot
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
mozambique:
Varies; typically required immediately or within a short period,
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay