Driving Differences: North Macedonia vs. Portugal
When navigating the roads of North Macedonia and Portugal, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that can significantly impact their journeys. From speed limits to lane usage and traffic signals, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe driving experience abroad. Explore the key contrasts and prepare for an enjoyable trip in these unique destinations.
Lanes
| North macedonia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. | Prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Usage
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
portugal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
north macedonia:
N/A
portugal:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
north macedonia:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| North macedonia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Possible |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
north macedonia:
80 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
80 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
north macedonia:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
north macedonia:
Yes
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| North macedonia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Portugal |
| 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 | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
portugal:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
portugal:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Headlight Flash: Usage
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
portugal:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
portugal:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| North macedonia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless specified by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| North macedonia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Road Etiquette
| North macedonia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
north macedonia:
Common practice
portugal:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Alcohol
| North macedonia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted at checkpoints | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
north macedonia:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
north macedonia:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| North macedonia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 192 | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local service providers | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
Contact: Traffic Police
north macedonia:
192
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Penalties And Fines
| North macedonia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 50 EUR | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 40 EUR | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | 250 EUR, points on license | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Possible |
| 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
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
north macedonia:
50 EUR
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
north macedonia:
40 EUR
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
portugal:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay