Driving in North Macedonia vs. Spain: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of North Macedonia and Spain, drivers encounter distinct regulations and customs that can significantly impact travel safety. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol enforcement, highlighting the importance of understanding local driving norms to ensure a smooth journey. Stay informed to drive safely and confidently in both nations.
Lanes
| North macedonia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| 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' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| 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.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Usage
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
north macedonia:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
north macedonia:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
north macedonia:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| North macedonia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-80 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, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
north macedonia:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
north macedonia:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
north macedonia:
80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
70 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
north macedonia:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
north macedonia:
Yes
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| North macedonia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Spain |
| 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 | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
spain:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
spain:
Not used in Spain
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
spain:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Headlight Flash: Usage
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
spain:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
spain:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| North macedonia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless specified by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| North macedonia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
north macedonia:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
north macedonia:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| North macedonia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
north macedonia:
Common practice
spain:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
north macedonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| North macedonia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted at checkpoints | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
north macedonia:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
north macedonia:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
north macedonia:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| North macedonia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 192 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local service providers | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
Contact: Traffic Police
north macedonia:
192
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Penalties And Fines
| North macedonia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 50 EUR | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 40 EUR | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | 250 EUR, points on license | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| 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
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
north macedonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
north macedonia:
50 EUR
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
north macedonia:
40 EUR
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay