North Macedonia Car Theory B cheat sheet

North Macedonia drives on the right; overtaking is done on the left except when a vehicle ahead signals a left turn and there is room to pass on the right.

General urban speed limit is 50 km/h; outside built-up areas 80 km/h; on motorways 130 km/h and on expressways (brzi patishta) 100 km/h unless signs state otherwise.

Minimum driving age for category B is 18; a two-year probationary period applies to novice drivers, during which stricter alcohol and speed rules apply.

Blood alcohol limit is 0.05% (0.5 g/L) for experienced drivers and 0.00% for novice drivers and professional drivers.

Seat belts are mandatory for the driver and all passengers in both front and rear seats; children under 12 must use an appropriate child restraint.

Dipped headlights are compulsory at night and in conditions of reduced visibility; daytime running lights or dipped beams are required on all roads.

At an unmarked intersection of equal-priority roads the vehicle approaching from the right has the right of way; trams always have priority.

Pedestrians on a marked zebra crossing have absolute priority; drivers must stop and may not overtake a vehicle stopped at a crossing.

Signs are grouped into warning (triangular, red border), prohibition/restriction (circular, red border), mandatory (circular, blue), and information (square or rectangular, blue or green).

A circular sign with a red border and a number is a maximum speed limit; a blue circular sign with a number is a minimum mandatory speed.

A red octagon with white 'STOP' requires a full stop at the stop line; a downward-pointing triangle means give way (yield) without a mandatory full stop.

Solid white centre lines may not be crossed; broken white lines may be crossed when overtaking is safe and permitted.

A yellow zig-zag or yellow line near a kerb marks a bus stop or no-parking zone; a blue line with a cross marks a designated parking area.

Traffic light sequence: red, red plus amber, green, amber, red; a flashing amber means proceed with caution and give way as required.

A police officer's signals override traffic lights, signs, and markings; the raised arm or whistle means stop for the direction indicated.

A triangular sign with a red border and a black symbol warns of a hazard ahead; distance to the hazard is indicated on a supplementary plate.

Safe following distance in dry conditions is at least the two-second rule; double it to four seconds in rain, and increase further on ice or at night.

Stopping distance equals thinking distance plus braking distance; braking distance increases with the square of speed, so doubling speed roughly quadruples braking distance.

In fog, use dipped headlights and fog lamps, reduce speed, and increase following distance; do not use high beam because it reflects back and reduces visibility.

Aquaplaning occurs when tyres lose contact with the water film; ease off the accelerator, do not brake sharply, and hold the steering steady until grip returns.

Before overtaking, check mirrors, signal, check the blind spot, ensure a clear gap, and confirm no solid line or prohibition applies; never overtake at pedestrian crossings or railway crossings.

When a large vehicle turns right, it may swing left first and cut the corner; never position yourself in the gap on its inside.

Approaching a crest, bend, or junction, slow down before the hazard so you have time to react; the limit point of a bend is the furthest point of the road you can see.

Fatigue impairs reaction time more than alcohol at low doses; take a break at least every two hours on long journeys.

Minimum tyre tread depth for passenger cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread; check pressure when tyres are cold.

Engine oil level is checked with the dipstick on a level surface with the engine off; the level should sit between the MIN and MAX marks.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic; it absorbs moisture and should be replaced at the manufacturer's interval (typically every two years) to prevent brake fade.

Coolant is checked only when the engine is cold; never open a hot radiator cap because pressurized scalding coolant can escape.

Dashboard warning lights: red means stop as soon as safe (oil pressure, brakes, coolant), amber means check soon, green or blue means a system is active.

The battery provides current for starting and is recharged by the alternator; a slow crank or dim lights suggests a weak battery or charging fault.

Headlight aim, brake lights, indicators, and horn are part of the pre-drive check; a failed brake light is a common cause of roadside inspection failure.

Winter tyres are required in wintry conditions (snow, ice, slush); the M+S or three-peak mountain snowflake marking identifies them.

Emergency numbers in North Macedonia: 112 for the unified emergency service, 192 for police, 193 for fire, and 194 for ambulance.

At a crash scene, first secure the scene: switch off engines, set warning triangle at least 50 m behind on ordinary roads, and wear a reflective vest.

Check responsiveness (AVPU: Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive) and breathing; if absent, start chest compressions at 100-120 per minute, 5-6 cm deep.

Do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger such as fire or traffic; suspected spinal injury requires immobilization.

Control severe bleeding with direct pressure using a clean cloth or dressing; elevate the limb if no fracture is suspected.

For burns, cool with running water for at least 10 minutes and do not remove clothing stuck to the wound; never apply ice or oil.

Recovery position is used for an unconscious but breathing casualty to keep the airway open and prevent choking on the tongue or vomit.

An automated external defibrillator (AED) gives voice prompts; apply pads to bare dry chest and follow prompts, do not delay compressions.

Aggressive driving behaviours include tailgating, weaving, excessive horn use, and deliberate blocking; these increase crash risk and can attract penalties.

Mobile phone use while driving is prohibited unless a hands-free system is used; even hands-free use increases distraction and reaction time.

Alcohol, drugs, and certain medicines impair judgment and reaction time; driving under the influence is a leading cause of serious crashes.

Vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, children, and the elderly) need extra space and lower speeds; give cyclists at least 1 m clearance when passing.

Eco-driving techniques such as smooth acceleration, early gear changes, and anticipating traffic reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

The safety helmet is mandatory for motorcyclists and moped riders; passengers must also wear a helmet.

Do not drive when fatigued; microsleeps last a few seconds but at 100 km/h cover more than 25 m, often with fatal consequences.

Respect for speed limits, following distances, and right-of-way is the most effective single measure to reduce road deaths.

A valid category B driving licence, vehicle registration certificate, and proof of compulsory third-party insurance must be carried and produced on request.

The vehicle registration certificate (soobrakjajna dozvola) records owner, vehicle data, and technical inspection validity; driving without valid registration is an offence.

Compulsory motor third-party liability insurance (MTPL) is required by law; driving uninsured is punishable by a fine and possible vehicle impoundment.

Periodic technical inspection (tehnichki pregled) is required at intervals set by law, generally annually for private cars older than a certain age.

After a traffic accident involving injury or significant damage, the police must be notified; leaving the scene of an injury accident is a criminal offence.

A green card is required for driving a North Macedonian-registered vehicle into some non-EU countries; within the EU the registration and insurance documents are sufficient.

Penalty points (kazneni poeni) accumulate for traffic offences; reaching the threshold results in licence suspension and mandatory re-examination.

The driver must report a change of address or ownership of the vehicle to the registration authority within the legally prescribed period.