Driving in North Macedonia vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of North Macedonia and the United Kingdom, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that significantly impact their journey. From driving on opposite sides to varying speed limits and lane usage rules, understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad. Explore these critical variations to enhance your road safety knowledge.
Lanes
| North macedonia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
north macedonia:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
north macedonia:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
north macedonia:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
north macedonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
north macedonia:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
north macedonia:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
north macedonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
north macedonia:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
north macedonia:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| North macedonia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
north macedonia:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
north macedonia:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
north macedonia:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
north macedonia:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
70 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
north macedonia:
120 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
north macedonia:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
north macedonia:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
north macedonia:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
north macedonia:
Yes
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| North macedonia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| 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 | English; symbols are standard |
| 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
united kingdom:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
north macedonia:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
united kingdom:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Headlight Flash: Usage
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
united kingdom:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
united kingdom:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| North macedonia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless specified by a sign | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
north macedonia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
north macedonia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| North macedonia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| 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
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
north macedonia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
north macedonia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| North macedonia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
north macedonia:
Common practice
united kingdom:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
north macedonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| North macedonia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted at checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
north macedonia:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
north macedonia:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
north macedonia:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| North macedonia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
north macedonia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
north macedonia:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| North macedonia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 192 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local service providers | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
north macedonia:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
north macedonia:
192
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
north macedonia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
north macedonia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| North macedonia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 50 EUR | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 40 EUR | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | 250 EUR, points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
north macedonia:
50 EUR
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
north macedonia:
40 EUR
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay