Driving in North Macedonia vs. Trinidad and Tobago: A Comparison
When navigating the roads of North Macedonia and Trinidad and Tobago, drivers will encounter distinct regulations and practices. Key differences include driving on the right versus left side, varying speed limits, and unique lane usage rules. Understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a secure journey and adapting to local traffic norms.
Lanes
| North macedonia | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. | Yes, when safe and permitted. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. | Marked with signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. | N/A |
Driving Side
north macedonia:
Right
trinidad and tobago:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
trinidad and tobago:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
north macedonia:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
No
Overtaking: On Right
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
trinidad and tobago:
Yes, when safe and permitted.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
north macedonia:
Use rightmost lane.
trinidad and tobago:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
trinidad and tobago:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
trinidad and tobago:
Marked with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
north macedonia:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
north macedonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
trinidad and tobago:
Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| North macedonia | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 65 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common, officers may issue fines directly |
Urban Areas: Standard
north macedonia:
50 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
70 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
65 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
north macedonia:
120 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
north macedonia:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
Common, officers may issue fines directly
Signals
| North macedonia | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Trinidad and Tobago |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Prohibited in urban areas at night | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Macedonian; standard symbols | English; 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
trinidad and tobago:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
trinidad and tobago:
Not used in Trinidad and Tobago
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
trinidad and tobago:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
trinidad and tobago:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
trinidad and tobago:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
trinidad and tobago:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| North macedonia | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless specified by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by signs | Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
trinidad and tobago:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
trinidad and tobago:
Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| North macedonia | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
north macedonia:
Liability insurance mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
trinidad and tobago:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
north macedonia:
Mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| North macedonia | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| 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 to communicate in traffic |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
north macedonia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
trinidad and tobago:
To warn of hazards
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
north macedonia:
Common practice
trinidad and tobago:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
north macedonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
trinidad and tobago:
Frequent use to communicate in traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
north macedonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
trinidad and tobago:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| North macedonia | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted at checkpoints | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
north macedonia:
0.05%
trinidad and tobago:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
north macedonia:
0.00%
trinidad and tobago:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
north macedonia:
0.00%
trinidad and tobago:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
trinidad and tobago:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| North macedonia | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 192 | 999 or use local police numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local service providers | Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
north macedonia:
112
trinidad and tobago:
999 or 911
Contact: Traffic Police
north macedonia:
192
trinidad and tobago:
999 or use local police numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
trinidad and tobago:
Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
north macedonia:
Mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| North macedonia | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license | Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 50 EUR | TT$ 1,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 40 EUR | TT$ 1,500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | 250 EUR, points on license | TT$ 2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
north macedonia:
50 EUR
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
north macedonia:
40 EUR
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
trinidad and tobago:
Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail
Payment: Deadline
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; typically within 15-30 days