Driving in North Macedonia vs. Slovakia: Key Differences
Exploring the roads of North Macedonia and Slovakia reveals intriguing contrasts that influence your travel experience. From speed limits to lane etiquette, understanding these variances is vital for a secure journey. Notably, Slovakia enforces stricter alcohol limits, while North Macedonia permits specific overtaking practices, showcasing each country's unique approach to road regulations.
Lanes
| North macedonia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| 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. |
Overtaking: On Right
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
slovakia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
slovakia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
slovakia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
north macedonia:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| North macedonia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 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 | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 130 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. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
north macedonia:
30 km/h
slovakia:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
north macedonia:
80 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
north macedonia:
80 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
70 km/h
slovakia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
north macedonia:
120 km/h
slovakia:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
80 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
north macedonia:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Signals
| North macedonia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Slovakia |
| 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 | Slovak; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
slovakia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
slovakia:
Not used in Slovakia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
slovakia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Headlight Flash: Usage
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
slovakia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
slovakia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
slovakia:
Slovak; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
slovakia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
Turns
| North macedonia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 a sign |
Right Turn On Red
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
slovakia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
slovakia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| North macedonia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required along with local license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory and regular inspections required |
| 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
slovakia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
slovakia:
International Driving Permit required along with local license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
slovakia:
Mandatory and regular inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
slovakia:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| North macedonia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
north macedonia:
Common practice
slovakia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Alcohol
| North macedonia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted at checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
Limits: General Drivers
north macedonia:
0.05%
slovakia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
slovakia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Emergency Services
| North macedonia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 192 | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local service providers | Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service |
Contact: Traffic Police
north macedonia:
192
slovakia:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
slovakia:
Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service
Penalties And Fines
| North macedonia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license | Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 50 EUR | €50 to €150, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 40 EUR | €100 to €200, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | 250 EUR, points on license | €100 to €250, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
slovakia:
Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
north macedonia:
50 EUR
slovakia:
€50 to €150, points in some regions
Common Fines: Phone Use
north macedonia:
40 EUR
slovakia:
€100 to €200, points in some regions
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
slovakia:
€100 to €250, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
slovakia:
Common
Payment: Deadline
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay
slovakia:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay