Driving in North Macedonia vs. Norway: Key Differences
When traveling abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for safe navigation. This comparison between North Macedonia and Norway reveals significant contrasts, such as speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol consumption thresholds. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can enhance your driving experience and ensure compliance with local laws.
Lanes
| North macedonia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
north macedonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Bus Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
north macedonia:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
north macedonia:
N/A
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
north macedonia:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| North macedonia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
Urban Areas: Standard
north macedonia:
50 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
70 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
north macedonia:
120 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
north macedonia:
100 km/h
norway:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
north macedonia:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| North macedonia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepare to go | Not used in Norway |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Prohibited in urban areas at night | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Macedonian; standard symbols | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
norway:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
norway:
Not used in Norway
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
norway:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Headlight Flash: Usage
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
norway:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
norway:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| North macedonia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless specified by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
norway:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| North macedonia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with a national driving license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | None |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
north macedonia:
Mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| North macedonia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
north macedonia:
Common practice
norway:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Alcohol
| North macedonia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted at checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | High fines and possible license revocation |
Limits: General Drivers
north macedonia:
0.05%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
north macedonia:
0.00%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
north macedonia:
0.00%
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Emergency Services
| North macedonia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 192 | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local service providers | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
north macedonia:
192
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
north macedonia:
Mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| North macedonia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 50 EUR | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 40 EUR | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | 250 EUR, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Yes, typically required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
north macedonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
north macedonia:
50 EUR
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
north macedonia:
40 EUR
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
norway:
Yes, typically required
Payment: Deadline
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay