Car Breakdown & Emergency Numbers in North Macedonia

Breaking down in an unfamiliar country is stressful. Knowing exactly what to do — and who to call — eliminates most of that stress. This guide covers every scenario a rental car driver might face in North Macedonia, from flat tyres to accidents to medical emergencies.

Emergency Numbers

Important: All emergency numbers work from any mobile phone, including phones without a local SIM card. The 112 number connects to a dispatcher who can route your call to the appropriate service.

Step-by-Step: What to Do in a Breakdown

1. Move to Safety

Pull over to the hard shoulder or the nearest safe spot. Turn on your hazard lights immediately. If you're on a motorway, move all passengers behind the safety barrier.

2. Place the Warning Triangle

Every rental car in North Macedonia is legally required to carry a reflective warning triangle. Place it:

• 50 metres behind your vehicle on regular roads
• 100 metres behind on motorways

The triangle is in the boot (trunk), usually under the floor mat or in a side compartment.

3. Put on the Reflective Vest

A reflective vest is also mandatory equipment. Put it on before leaving the vehicle, especially at night or in poor visibility.

4. Call Relax Rent a Car

Our 24/7 number: +389 71 390 627 (also available on WhatsApp)

Tell us:

• Your exact location (use Google Maps to share a pin)
• What happened (flat tyre, engine warning, won't start, etc.)
• Whether anyone is injured

We will dispatch roadside assistance or a replacement vehicle depending on the situation. There is no charge for roadside assistance calls during your rental period.

5. Call 196 (Roadside Assistance) if Needed

If you can't reach us, call 196 (AMSM — the Automobile Association of North Macedonia). They provide:

• Tyre changes
• Battery jump-starts
• Towing to the nearest garage
• Minor roadside repairs

AMSM covers the entire country including mountain roads. Response time is typically 30–60 minutes in urban areas, 60–90 minutes in rural areas.

Specific Scenarios

Flat Tyre

All our rental cars include a spare tyre and jack. If you're comfortable changing a tyre:

1. Park on flat, firm ground
2. Apply the handbrake and engage first gear (or Park for automatics)
3. Loosen the wheel nuts before raising the car
4. Change the tyre and tighten the nuts in a star pattern

If you're not comfortable, call us or 196. Do not drive on a flat tyre — it damages the rim and is dangerous.

Engine Warning Light

If the engine warning light (orange engine symbol) comes on:

1. Reduce speed to 60 km/h
2. Do not turn off the engine (this can reset some systems and cause starting issues)
3. Drive to the nearest safe parking area
4. Call us: +389 71 390 627

An orange warning light usually means a sensor issue — the car is drivable but needs checking. A red warning light means stop immediately and call for assistance.

Overheating

Common on mountain roads in summer (Galicica, Mavrovo, Popova Šapka):

1. Pull over safely
2. Turn the engine off
3. Do not open the radiator cap while the engine is hot
4. Wait 20–30 minutes for the engine to cool
5. Check the coolant level (reservoir is under the bonnet)
6. If low, add water as a temporary measure
7. Call us for advice

Dead Battery

If the car won't start:

1. Check that the lights/radio weren't left on overnight
2. Try turning the key again after 30 seconds
3. If it still won't start, call us or 196 for a jump-start
4. AMSM (196) typically arrives within 30–45 minutes for battery issues

Accident

If you are involved in a traffic accident:

1. Stop immediately — leaving the scene is a criminal offence
2. Turn on hazard lights and place the warning triangle
3. Check for injuries — call 194 (ambulance) if anyone is hurt
4. Call 192 (police) — police attendance is mandatory for all accidents involving rental vehicles, even minor ones
5. Do not admit fault at the scene
6. Take photographs: damage to all vehicles, licence plates, road position, road signs, weather conditions
7. Exchange information: name, phone, insurance details, vehicle registration
8. Call us: +389 71 390 627 — we will guide you through the insurance process
9. Request a copy of the police report (you'll need this for insurance claims)

With CDW insurance (€7/day): Your liability is limited to €200 excess. With Full Insurance (€15/day): Zero excess — no financial liability. See our insurance guide for details.

Theft or Break-in

1. Call 192 (police) immediately
2. Do not touch or move anything in the vehicle
3. File a police report — you must have the report number for insurance
4. Call us: +389 71 390 627
5. We will arrange a replacement vehicle

Prevention: Never leave valuables visible in the car. Use the boot for bags and electronics. Lock the car even for brief stops.

Useful Apps

Medical Emergencies

Hospitals

All major hospitals have emergency departments (Итна помош / Itna pomosh) open 24/7. EU citizens with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) receive free emergency treatment. Non-EU visitors should have travel insurance.

Pharmacies

Pharmacies (Аптека / Apteka) are found in all towns. In Skopje, several pharmacies operate 24/7 — ask any local or check Google Maps for "apteka 24h".

Driving Safety Tips

1. Keep the rental agreement and insurance documents in the car at all times
2. Save our number (+389 71 390 627) in your phone before you start driving
3. Carry the reflective vest and warning triangle — police check for these during routine stops
4. Fill up before mountain drives — fuel stations are sparse above 1,000m elevation
5. Avoid night driving on mountain roads — no street lighting, potential livestock on the road
6. Check tyre pressure before long trips — our vehicles are serviced before each rental, but heat and altitude affect pressure

Frequently Asked Questions

What payment methods do you accept on arrival?

Cash in EUR (preferred) or MKD denars. Card (Visa, Mastercard) with a 1.5% processing fee. Bank transfer in advance (zero fees, settled 24-72 hours before pickup). American Express and Diners Club not accepted — Yandex / PayPal not supported on rental payments either.

How is Car Breakdown & Emergency different from international car rental chains?

Local Macedonian operators like Relax Rent a Car (since 2001) charge 30-40% less per day, require no credit-card deposit hold, include airport pickup free, and the same staff member often handles handover and return. International chains are convenient if you have corporate billing, but local operators win on cost and flexibility for personal travel.

Why choose a local operator over major international chains?

Daily rates are €22-50 (local) vs €38-70 (chains), no €1,000-1,500 pre-authorisation hold, free airport pickup vs €15-30 chain surcharge, and direct contact with the team that owns the fleet. Chains win only if you specifically need loyalty programme points or company billing through their global system.

Is Relax Rent a Car a legitimate company?

Operating since 2001 (25 years). Registered with the Macedonian Chamber of Commerce. Holds 4.9-star Google reviews from 200+ verified customers. Address: Dame Gruev 16-2/4 B.C. Paloma Bjanka, Skopje. Phone +389 71 390 627. Tax registration and VAT number available on the rental invoice.

How do I book — online, phone, or WhatsApp?

Three options. Online via macedonia-car-rental.com (booking form auto-quotes, no deposit taken). Phone +389 71 390 627 (English / German / Macedonian). WhatsApp +389 71 390 627 (preferred for international customers — saves on roaming). Email [email protected] works for groups or special requests.

Be Prepared

Save these contacts before you start your trip:

• Relax Rent a Car (24/7): +389 71 390 627
• Police: 192
• Ambulance: 194
• Roadside Assistance: 196
• European Emergency: 112

Book your rental car with confidence — our 24/7 support means you're never alone on the road.