North Macedonia

Key points for young drivers:

• Novice drivers (first 2 years after getting a licence): alcohol practically zero (0.09 ‰) and lower limits – 60 km/h outside built-up areas, 80 on expressways, 100 on motorways.
• General limits: 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 outside built-up areas, 110 on expressways, 130 on motorways.
• Dipped headlights on all year round.
• Green Card compulsory.
• From 15 November to 15 March: winter tyres or snow chains.
• Motorways tolled at toll booths (denars or euro).

Seat belts and child seats

We have not confirmed the detailed rules (seat belts, child seats) in official sources. Always wear your seat belt and carry children in a child seat.

Traffic lights

No specific information in official sources – follow traffic lights as in most EU countries.

Helmet not compulsory

No data in official sources.

Helmet compulsory

We have not confirmed the details in official sources. Always wear a helmet on a motorcycle or moped.

Compulsory equipment in the car

• from 15 November to 15 March: snow chains or winter tyres

Note: we have not confirmed the full list of compulsory equipment in official sources – check before you travel on the website of North Macedonia’s Road Safety Council.

Compulsory equipment on a bike

No specific requirements in the sources.

Winter tyres and snow chains

From 15 November to 15 March, snow chains or winter tyres are part of the compulsory car equipment (Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Lorries must carry snow chains for the drive-axle wheels and a shovel.

Phone, drugs and other bans

• Alcohol: generally 0.5 ‰, but novice drivers (first 2 years after getting their licence) – max. 0.09 ‰, i.e. practically zero; professional drivers – 0.0 ‰.
• Novice drivers also have lower speed limits: 60 km/h on roads outside built-up areas, 80 km/h on roads reserved for motor vehicles, 100 km/h on motorways.
• Phone: we have not confirmed the exact rules – North Macedonia’s Road Safety Council calls phone calls and texting while driving irresponsible. Do not use your phone without a hands-free kit.
• Dipped headlights on all year round.

Vignettes, tolls and low-emission zones

Motorways are tolled at toll booths – in denars or euro (paying in euro can work out relatively more expensive).

Official sources do not mention vignettes or low-emission zones.

Documents and insurance

• Driving licence: according to the German Federal Foreign Office, a German licence is recognised, and according to the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a Polish one too. For stays of more than 3 months, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends an International Driving Permit, and after 6 months you must exchange your licence for a North Macedonian one. If your licence is from another country, check your foreign ministry’s travel advice before you travel.
• You need a Green Card – North Macedonia is not part of the Multilateral Agreement under which your ordinary third-party motor insurance is enough. North Macedonia (MK, MKD or NMK) must be listed on the card, otherwise you will have to buy local insurance at the border.
• Not your car? You need a power of attorney from the owner – without it you risk penalties, up to and including confiscation of the car.

What to watch out for

• North Macedonia has one of the highest road death tolls – drive defensively.
• Many cars are in poor condition, without lights or mirrors; cyclists and scooters ride without lights, often against the traffic. Pedestrians cross wherever they like, and there can be animals on the roads (including motorways).
• On mountain roads – stones, rock debris, lost loads; local roads are often neglected and poorly signposted.
• In summer, queues at the borders, especially Tabanovce–Preševo (with Serbia) and Bogorodica–Evzoni (with Greece).
• Police fine strictly – foreigners too.

Sources

• Road Safety Council (RSBSP) – speed limits
• RSBSP – drink-driving
• RSBSP – guide for novice drivers
• MIA (citing the Ministry of the Interior) – NMK stickers
• Council of Bureaux – Green Card system
• German Federal Foreign Office – North Macedonia: travel and safety advice (in German)
• Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Odyseusz: North Macedonia (in Polish)
• Last updated: September 2026.