Driving Differences: North Macedonia vs Serbia
When traveling through North Macedonia and Serbia, understanding the nuances of their road regulations is essential for a secure journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, traffic signals, and alcohol thresholds, with Serbia implementing variable speed limits and stricter alcohol limits. Familiarizing yourself with these regulations will ensure a safer and more enjoyable driving experience in both countries.
Lanes
| North macedonia | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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.
serbia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
serbia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
serbia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
north macedonia:
N/A
serbia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
north macedonia:
No
serbia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
serbia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| North macedonia | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
north macedonia:
No
serbia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
serbia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| North macedonia | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Serbia |
| 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 | Serbian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
serbia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
serbia:
Not used in Serbia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
serbia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Headlight Flash: Usage
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
serbia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
serbia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
serbia:
Serbian; symbols are standard
Turns
| North macedonia | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Varies by city; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
serbia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
serbia:
Varies by city; check for signs
Documentation
| North macedonia | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory periodic inspections |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
serbia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
serbia:
Mandatory periodic inspections
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
serbia:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| North macedonia | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
north macedonia:
Common practice
serbia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Alcohol
| North macedonia | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted at checkpoints | Common; police regularly perform checks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial, varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
north macedonia:
0.05%
serbia:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
north macedonia:
0.00%
serbia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
serbia:
Common; police regularly perform checks
Enforcement: Fines
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
serbia:
Substantial, varies by severity
Emergency Services
| North macedonia | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local service providers | 1987 |
Contact: Roadside Assistance
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
serbia:
1987
Penalties And Fines
| North macedonia | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license | Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 50 EUR | €20 to €40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 40 EUR | €30 to €50 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | 250 EUR, points on license | €30 to €50, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Yes, possible for smaller fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay | Varies; typically 8 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
serbia:
Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
north macedonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
serbia:
Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
north macedonia:
50 EUR
serbia:
€20 to €40
Common Fines: Phone Use
north macedonia:
40 EUR
serbia:
€30 to €50
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
serbia:
€30 to €50, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
serbia:
Yes, possible for smaller fines
Payment: Deadline
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay
serbia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay