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

The required documentation to rent a car in North Macedonia is: 

• Driving license (International Driving Permit for foreign drivers)
• 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.

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.

The most important rules to remember when driving in North Macedonia are:

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

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.

The short answer is that driving in North Macedonia is generally safe, but there are some things you should keep in mind.

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.

Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, 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 aggressive due to congestion.

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.

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.

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!