Your Ultimate Guide to driving in North Macedonia as a Tourist

The required documents to drive in North Macedonia are:

• Driving license (International Driving Permit for foreign drivers)
• Vehicle registration certificate (V5C or equivalent) that proves the vehicle is legally registered in your country.
• Valid Green Card (International Motor Insurance Card) with coverage in North Macedonia

Renting a car in North Macedonia is a simple procedure:

• Choose from Abbycar’s user friendly platform or in person in one of our rental locations the vehicle type that meets your criteria according to your needs and budget.
• Provide a valid driving license, passport or ID and credit card.
• A deposit amount will be blocked in your credit card, but not charged. This deposit will be charged only in case of damage.
• You take the car after inspecting its situation and take photos to prove the existence of any prior damage. You should also check the mileage and gas mileage.
• You return the car at the drop-off point and pay.

What do you need to rent a car in North Macedonia? The required documentation to rent a car in North Macedonia is: 

• Driving license
• Passport or ID
• Credit card under your name (the main driver’s name).

If you hire a car in North Macedonia, the rental insurance covers the requirement of green card and the rental company provides the vehicle registration papers.

Regarding the driving license, do you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in North Macedonia? Yes, foreign drivers should have an IDP to rent a car in North Macedonia.

In North Macedonia, people drive on the right side of the road, like in most European countries.

The driver’s seat is on the left side of the vehicle.

This is important to keep in mind, especially if you come from a country where driving is on the left side of the road, such as UK, Australia and Cyprus.

Renting a car in North Macedonia offers significant advantages, such as:

• It provides the freedom to explore the whole country with the surrounding areas of major cities at your own pace.
• A car enables access to remote and scenic spots that are less reachable by public transport.
• It gives you comfort and convenience, especially for families or groups.
• It allows for spontaneous travel plans and flexibility.

However, keep in mind that there are some cons of car hire in North Macedonia:

• Traffic in the rush hours in large cities, such as Skopje, is heavy.
• The driving behavior is aggressive and chaotic if you are not familiar with.
• Parking can be difficult to find and may require additional fees.
• Navigation might be confusing due to limited signage.
• The travel cost, including rental price, insurance and fuel, is higher than with public transportation.

But remember that Abbycar is one of the most affordable car rentals in North Macedonia and offers many deals and discounts to find the best car according to your budget.

So, if you wonder why should you rent a car in North Macedonia, here are the top places to visit by car that are not accessible by public transportation:

• Galicica National Parκ: Located between Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa, Galicica National Park offers breathtaking views of both lakes and many interesting hiking trails.
• Lake Ohrid: Although Lake Ohrid is accessible by bus, you can discover by car many remote hidden gems, such as the small lakeside village Trpejca and St. Naum Monastery.
• Pelister National Park: Located near Bitola, Pelister National Park is known for its ancient pine forests and beautiful lakes.
• Matka Canyon: Located west of Skopje, Matka Canyon is a natural marvel with steep cliffs, clear waters and medieval monasteries.
• Tikves Wine Region: The Tikveš region, particularly around Kavadarci and Demir Kapija, is renowned for its vineyards and wineries.

What are the driving laws and regulations in North Macedonia? The most important rules to remember when driving in North Macedonia are:

• Speed limits: Speed limits are 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on rural roads and 130 km/h on highways.
• Alcohol limit: Driving after having drunk alcohol is strictly prohibited. The limit is 0,05% for private drivers and 0% for professional drivers and drivers with less than 2 years’ experience.
• Headlights: They must be on even during the day.
• Mobile phone: It is permitted while driving only with hands-free device.
• Emergency number: It is 112.

Are there any specific rules regarding seat belts and child safety seats in North Macedonia? Yes, please remember the following:

• Seat belts: The use of seat belts is mandatory for all passengers.
• Child seat: Children under 12 years old must use appropriate child seats.

Keep in mind that police checkpoints are often, so you should always carry with you the required documents. 

What age can you start driving in North Macedonia?

The legal driving age in North Macedonia is 18 years old with a valid driving license.

However, regarding the age requirements to rent a car in North Macedonia, the minimum age is 23 years, but you can be as young as 21 years old if you pay an additional young driver fee. However, keep in mind that this is an option only for a few car groups.

As North Macedonia is an evolving tourist destination, you may wonder if it is difficult to drive in Macedonia and how to be safe in your transportation. Is it safe to drive at night in North Macedonia?

The short answer is that driving in North Macedonia is generally safe, but there are some things you should keep in mind, and regarding the safety during night we recommend you avoiding it, as discussed further.

Regarding the matter of safety when renting a car in North Macedonia, the road conditions are variable. Major highways are generally well-maintained, but rural and mountainous roads have poor conditions and many of them are unpaved or have large potholes. Plus, driving at night is dangerous due to limited lighting and inadequate road signs.

Another safety issue are local drivers, many of whom are aggressive and don’t adhere the speed limits and the legal requirements for safe driving.

Under these circumstances, safety tips when driving and renting a car in North Macedonia include:

• Follow the speed limits.
• Be prepared for and don’t interact with aggressive drivers.
• Avoid driving during the night.
• Drive cautiously.
• Avoid drinking alcohol before driving.
• Use GPS and have also and offline map in case your phone signal is poor.
• Be cautious of livestock or pedestrians in villages and countryside areas.

From 15 November to 15 March, all vehicles in North Macedonia must be equipped with winter tyres. This is important because many mountainous areas may be icy, especially during winter.

If you rent a car, please make sure the rental vehicle has winter tyres for your safety as well as legal compliance.

Driving in winter in North Macedonia may be difficult if you are unfamiliar with ice conditions. Thus, we recommend you avoid travelling from December to February in this case.

If you want to experience a winter road trip, in addition to winter tyres, it is advisable to rent a 4X4 car in North Macedonia and also have winter chains with you.

If you plan to stay in Skopje, you may wonder how is the traffic in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia and if parking is difficult.

Skopje is a vivid yet crowded city. It has good road network, so you can easily drive from one location to another, but remember that parking is limited, especially in the city center. So, we recommend you park in your hotel or in a private parking spot.

Another advice is to avoid driving in Skopje during the rush hours, as the traffic is high and drivers may be aggressive due to congestion.

As abovementioned, finding parking in Skopje in the city center is difficult. However, in other big cities, such as Tetovo, Prilep and Bitola, you can easily find parking.

Except for free street parking, there are also private parking spaces that are safe and cheaper than in most European cities. In Skopje, there are also paid parking lots for street parking in the city center, indicated with red, yellow and green color, depending on the available timespan.

In Lake Ohrid, as it is a major tourist destination, it is difficult to find parking inside the city center and near the lake. It is better to park just outside and walk.

Yes, North Macedonia has toll roads in major highways, such as those connecting Skopje to Albania and Greece (A1 and A2 routes).

Tolls cost approximately 0,70 to 1,60 euros and you can pay by cash, credit or debit card.

The best time is in spring (April and May) and autumn (September and October), as the weather is mild, natural landscapes offer impressive colors and traffic is low.

During summer, temperatures are hot and tourist destinations are overcrowded, while in winter rural and mountainous roads are difficult and snow chains are required.

If you are a foreign driver, you should keep in mind the following regarding the driving license and other documentation requirements.

Do I need an Internation Driving license in North Macedonia? If you wonder whether can Americans drive in North Macedonia or if you can drive in North Macedonia with a UK license, please remember that foreigner drivers require an International Driving Permit to drive and rent a car in North Macedonia. So, if you come from the USA or the UK or any other country, an IDP is mandatory.

Do I need a green card to drive in North Macedonia? Yes. The green card proves the international coverage (including North Macedonia) of the vehicle’s insurance. So, if you come from abroad and you drive your own car, you should have a green card. If you rent a car, the rental insurance covers this prerequisite.

Do I need a GB/UK sticker for North Macedonia? Yes, you need a UK sticker (former GB sticker) to drive in North Macedonia a car that is legally registered in the UK. Since Brexit, the old GB stickers are no longer valid.

The most useful tips for renting a car in North Macedonia are:

• Book in advance: Make the reservation early, especially in high season.
• Choose the right car: A reliable car, which is suitable for most road conditions, such as an SUV, is the best option.
• Best insurance: Choose an insurance with wide coverage and low deductible, including theft protection.
• Check the car before pick-up: Inspect the rental car for damages before taking it. Take photos to prove its prior condition.
• Use navigation app: As the cost to use your mobile phone for internet data may be high, you can ask for GPS from Abbycar.
• Cross-border crossing: Ensure that your rental agreement allows cross-border crossing, which is usual among travelers in Balkans.

The top places to rent a car in North Macedonia are Skopje and Lake Ohrid. From Skopje, you can discover not only the lively capital, but also drive in most sites worth visiting in short road trips, like Matka Canyon, Tikves Wine Region, Galicia National Park and Pelister National Park.

Lake Ohrid is the top destination in this unique country, ideal for nature lovers. It is one of Europe’s oldest and deepest lakes and an UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its crystal-clear waters and unique biodiversity, surrounded by Galicia National Park.

Abbycar is the most affordable and trustworthy world class car rental agency in North Macedonia, offering you top deals and inclusive packages with transparent pricing.

Start now planning your journey to this unique country and rent a car in North Macedonia with Abbycar to discover all the natural and urban beauties stress-free and on a budget!