Driving Differences: North Macedonia vs United Arab Emirates
Driving in North Macedonia and the United Arab Emirates presents unique challenges and regulations that can significantly impact safety on the roads. From varying speed limits and lane usage to distinct traffic signals, understanding these contrasts is essential for a secure journey. Explore the intriguing distinctions that shape the driving experience in both nations.
Lanes
| North macedonia | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 6 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| 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, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Right
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
north macedonia:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
north macedonia:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
north macedonia:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
north macedonia:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
north macedonia:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
north macedonia:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| North macedonia | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 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 | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
north macedonia:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
north macedonia:
30 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
north macedonia:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
north macedonia:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
70 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
north macedonia:
120 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
north macedonia:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
north macedonia:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
north macedonia:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| North macedonia | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 UAE |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Prohibited in urban areas at night | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| 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 | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
united arab emirates:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
united arab emirates:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
united arab emirates:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| North macedonia | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless specified by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| North macedonia | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
north macedonia:
Mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| North macedonia | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
north macedonia:
Common practice
united arab emirates:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
north macedonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Alcohol
| North macedonia | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted at checkpoints | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
north macedonia:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
north macedonia:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
north macedonia:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| North macedonia | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 192 | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local service providers | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
north macedonia:
112
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
north macedonia:
192
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
north macedonia:
Mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| North macedonia | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 50 EUR | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 40 EUR | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | 250 EUR, points on license | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
north macedonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
north macedonia:
50 EUR
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
north macedonia:
40 EUR
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay