Driving in North Macedonia vs. Saudi Arabia: Key Differences
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and driving practices between North Macedonia and Saudi Arabia. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol restrictions, this comparison reveals significant disparities that impact traveler safety. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure journey in either country.
Lanes
| North macedonia | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
saudi arabia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
north macedonia:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
north macedonia:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
north macedonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
saudi arabia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
north macedonia:
No
saudi arabia:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
north macedonia:
N/A
saudi arabia:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
saudi arabia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| North macedonia | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 120-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS |
Urban Areas: Standard
north macedonia:
50 km/h
saudi arabia:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
north macedonia:
30 km/h
saudi arabia:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
north macedonia:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
north macedonia:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
70 km/h
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
north macedonia:
120 km/h
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
north macedonia:
100 km/h
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
saudi arabia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
north macedonia:
Yes
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
Signals
| North macedonia | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Saudi Arabia |
| 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 | Arabic; 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
saudi arabia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
saudi arabia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Headlight Flash: Usage
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
saudi arabia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
saudi arabia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
saudi arabia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| North macedonia | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless specified by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
saudi arabia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
saudi arabia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| North macedonia | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mandatory periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
Road Etiquette
| North macedonia | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 for communication on the road |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
north macedonia:
Common practice
saudi arabia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
north macedonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
Alcohol
| North macedonia | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted at checkpoints | Common, random checkpoints are used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial; possible imprisonment |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Frequent for offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
north macedonia:
0.05%
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
Enforcement: Fines
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
Enforcement: Imprisonment
north macedonia:
Possible for severe offenses
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
Test Refusal
north macedonia:
Can result in license suspension
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
Emergency Services
| North macedonia | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 192 | 993 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local service providers | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
Contact: General Emergency
north macedonia:
112
saudi arabia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
north macedonia:
192
saudi arabia:
993
Contact: Roadside Assistance
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
saudi arabia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Penalties And Fines
| North macedonia | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 50 EUR | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 40 EUR | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | 250 EUR, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer |
| 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
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
north macedonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
north macedonia:
50 EUR
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
north macedonia:
40 EUR
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay
saudi arabia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay