Driving in North Macedonia vs. Switzerland: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of North Macedonia and Switzerland, understanding the unique regulations and practices is crucial for a safe journey. This comparison highlights notable distinctions, from lane markings and speed limits to alcohol limits and emergency contact numbers. Grasping these variances will enhance your driving experience and ensure adherence to local road norms.
Lanes
| North macedonia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
north macedonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
switzerland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
north macedonia:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| North macedonia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 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, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
north macedonia:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
70 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
north macedonia:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
north macedonia:
Yes
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| North macedonia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| 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 | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
switzerland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
switzerland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Headlight Flash: Usage
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
switzerland:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
switzerland:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| North macedonia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless specified by a sign | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| North macedonia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| 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 | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| 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
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
north macedonia:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| North macedonia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
north macedonia:
Common practice
switzerland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Alcohol
| North macedonia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted at checkpoints | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
north macedonia:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
north macedonia:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| North macedonia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
north macedonia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
north macedonia:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| North macedonia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 192 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local service providers | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
north macedonia:
192
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
north macedonia:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| North macedonia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 50 EUR | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 40 EUR | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | 250 EUR, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| 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
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
north macedonia:
50 EUR
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
north macedonia:
40 EUR
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay