Driving Safely: North Macedonia vs Pakistan
Explore the distinct road regulations and practices between North Macedonia and Pakistan to enhance your travel experience. Key differences include driving sides, speed limits, and traffic signal interpretations. Understanding these variations will promote safer navigation and greater awareness while driving in these unique environments.
Lanes
| North macedonia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Prohibited |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. | Yes, allowed on open roads. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Primarily in some urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. | Bicycle symbols on road. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
north macedonia:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Overtaking: On Left
north macedonia:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
north macedonia:
Use rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
north macedonia:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
north macedonia:
Yes
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
north macedonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
north macedonia:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| North macedonia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
north macedonia:
50 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
north macedonia:
30 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
north macedonia:
80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
north macedonia:
80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
70 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
north macedonia:
120 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
north macedonia:
100 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
north macedonia:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| North macedonia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Prohibited in urban areas at night | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas |
| 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 |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used in some rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Macedonian; standard symbols | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
pakistan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
pakistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
pakistan:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
north macedonia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| North macedonia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless specified by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| North macedonia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
north macedonia:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
north macedonia:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| North macedonia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
north macedonia:
Common practice
pakistan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
north macedonia:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
north macedonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
north macedonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| North macedonia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted at checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
north macedonia:
0.05%
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
north macedonia:
Can result in license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Emergency Services
| North macedonia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 192 | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local service providers | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
north macedonia:
112
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
north macedonia:
192
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
north macedonia:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
north macedonia:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| North macedonia | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 50 EUR | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 40 EUR | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | 250 EUR, points on license | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
north macedonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
north macedonia:
50 EUR
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
north macedonia:
40 EUR
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay