Driving in North Macedonia vs. Vanuatu: Key Differences
When comparing road regulations in North Macedonia and Vanuatu, intriguing distinctions come to light. From speed limits and lane usage to alcohol restrictions and emergency protocols, each country presents unique driving customs. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring safe travels and navigating smoothly in unfamiliar territories.
Lanes
| North macedonia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Overtaking: On Right
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
north macedonia:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
north macedonia:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
north macedonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
north macedonia:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| North macedonia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
north macedonia:
50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
north macedonia:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
north macedonia:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
70 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
north macedonia:
120 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
north macedonia:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
north macedonia:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
north macedonia:
Yes
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| North macedonia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Vanuatu |
| 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 | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
vanuatu:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
vanuatu:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Headlight Flash: Usage
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
vanuatu:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
vanuatu:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| North macedonia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless specified by a sign | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by signs | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| North macedonia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
north macedonia:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
north macedonia:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
north macedonia:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| North macedonia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 to the side and stop, if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
north macedonia:
Common practice
vanuatu:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
north macedonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| North macedonia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted at checkpoints | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: Professional Drivers
north macedonia:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
north macedonia:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
north macedonia:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| North macedonia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 192 | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local service providers | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
north macedonia:
192
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
north macedonia:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
north macedonia:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| North macedonia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 50 EUR | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 40 EUR | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | 250 EUR, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Possible; or through police stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
north macedonia:
50 EUR
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
north macedonia:
40 EUR
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay