Driving Differences: North Macedonia vs. Philippines
When navigating the roads of North Macedonia and the Philippines, drivers encounter unique regulations and practices that impact their safety and experience. From speed limits to road etiquette and emergency contacts, this comparison highlights crucial distinctions such as overtaking rules and alcohol limits, ensuring a secure journey in both countries.
Lanes
| North macedonia | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. | Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. | Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles. |
| 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 occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Overtaking: On Right
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
philippines:
Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets.
Bus Lanes: Usage
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
philippines:
Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs.
Bus Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
philippines:
Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
north macedonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
philippines:
Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
philippines:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
north macedonia:
No
philippines:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
north macedonia:
N/A
philippines:
Minimum two occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
philippines:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| North macedonia | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40 kph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 kph |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80 kph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70 kph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 50 kph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80 kph |
| Speed Units | km/h | kph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Less common; fines are usually issued later |
Urban Areas: Standard
north macedonia:
50 km/h
philippines:
40 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
north macedonia:
30 km/h
philippines:
20 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
north macedonia:
80 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
north macedonia:
80 km/h
philippines:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
70 km/h
philippines:
50 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
north macedonia:
120 km/h
philippines:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
north macedonia:
100 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
80 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Speed Units
north macedonia:
km/h
philippines:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
philippines:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
north macedonia:
Yes
philippines:
Less common; fines are usually issued later
Signals
| North macedonia | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; 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 | English and Filipino; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
philippines:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
philippines:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
philippines:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Headlight Flash: Usage
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
philippines:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
philippines:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
philippines:
English and Filipino; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
philippines:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| North macedonia | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless specified by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by signs | Common, check for signs indicating restrictions |
Right Turn On Red
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
philippines:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
philippines:
Common, check for signs indicating restrictions
Documentation
| North macedonia | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Required for registration; certificate must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
north macedonia:
Liability insurance mandatory
philippines:
Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
philippines:
Required for registration; certificate must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
philippines:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
north macedonia:
Mandatory
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| North macedonia | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
north macedonia:
Common practice
philippines:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
north macedonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
philippines:
Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users
Alcohol
| North macedonia | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted at checkpoints | Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Severe for violations, may include imprisonment |
Limits: Professional Drivers
north macedonia:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
north macedonia:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
philippines:
Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays
Enforcement: Fines
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
philippines:
Severe for violations, may include imprisonment
Emergency Services
| North macedonia | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 192 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local service providers | Check with your insurance provider or AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
north macedonia:
112
philippines:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
north macedonia:
192
philippines:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
philippines:
Check with your insurance provider or AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
north macedonia:
Mandatory
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| North macedonia | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license | Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 50 EUR | PHP 300 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 40 EUR | PHP 1000 to PHP 5000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | 250 EUR, points on license | PHP 1000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay | Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance |
Common Fines: Speeding
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
philippines:
Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000
Common Fines: Seat Belts
north macedonia:
50 EUR
philippines:
PHP 300
Common Fines: Phone Use
north macedonia:
40 EUR
philippines:
PHP 1000 to PHP 5000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
philippines:
PHP 1000
Payment: On The Spot
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
philippines:
Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers
Payment: Deadline
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay
philippines:
Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance