Driving in North Macedonia vs. Turkey: Key Differences
Embarking on a journey through North Macedonia and Turkey? Understanding the distinct road rules and regulations in these countries is crucial for a safe driving experience. From speed limits to lane usage, this comparison highlights the key variations, ensuring you navigate the roads with confidence and awareness.
Lanes
| North macedonia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| 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.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
turkey:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
north macedonia:
N/A
turkey:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
north macedonia:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| North macedonia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 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, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
north macedonia:
80 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
70 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
80 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
north macedonia:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
north macedonia:
Yes
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| North macedonia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Prohibited in urban areas at night | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| 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 | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
turkey:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Headlight Flash: Usage
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
turkey:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
turkey:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| North macedonia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless specified by a sign | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| North macedonia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Road Etiquette
| North macedonia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
north macedonia:
Common practice
turkey:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
north macedonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| North macedonia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted at checkpoints | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Underage Drivers
north macedonia:
0.00%
turkey:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
north macedonia:
Can result in license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| North macedonia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 192 | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local service providers | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
Contact: Traffic Police
north macedonia:
192
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Penalties And Fines
| North macedonia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 50 EUR | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 40 EUR | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | 250 EUR, points on license | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
north macedonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
north macedonia:
50 EUR
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
north macedonia:
40 EUR
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges