Driving in North Macedonia vs. Russia: Key Differences
Discover the essential distinctions in roadway regulations between North Macedonia and Russia. From speed limits and traffic signals to lane usage and penalties, understanding these variations can significantly enhance your travel experience. Stay informed to ensure your safety on the roads of these two diverse nations!
Lanes
| North macedonia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| 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.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
russia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
russia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
north macedonia:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| North macedonia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 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 | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
north macedonia:
50 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
north macedonia:
30 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
north macedonia:
80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
north macedonia:
80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
70 km/h
russia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
north macedonia:
120 km/h
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
north macedonia:
100 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
north macedonia:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
north macedonia:
Yes
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| North macedonia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Russia |
| 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 | Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
russia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
russia:
Not used in Russia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
russia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Headlight Flash: Usage
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
russia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
russia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| North macedonia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| North macedonia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
north macedonia:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| North macedonia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
north macedonia:
Common practice
russia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Alcohol
| North macedonia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.035% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted at checkpoints | Common, especially in cities |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
north macedonia:
0.05%
russia:
0.035%
Enforcement: Random Checks
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Enforcement: Fines
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| North macedonia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 192 | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local service providers | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
north macedonia:
192
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
north macedonia:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| North macedonia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 50 EUR | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 40 EUR | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | 250 EUR, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
north macedonia:
50 EUR
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
north macedonia:
40 EUR
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay