Driving in Algeria vs. Morocco: Key Differences Explained
Discover the unique driving landscapes of Algeria and Morocco, where regulations and road etiquette vary significantly. From overtaking rules and speed limits to traffic signals and pedestrian rights, understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Learn how to navigate the roads safely and confidently in each country.
Lanes
| Algeria | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except on one-way roads. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Departure depends on specific roads. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
algeria:
Prohibited except on one-way roads.
morocco:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
morocco:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
morocco:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
morocco:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
morocco:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
morocco:
Departure depends on specific roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
morocco:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
algeria:
Not applicable
morocco:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
morocco:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Algeria | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
algeria:
50 km/h
morocco:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
algeria:
50 km/h
morocco:
40 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
90 km/h
morocco:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
morocco:
N/A
Signals
| Algeria | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Orange |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not typically used | Not used in Morocco |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Usually triangular with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
algeria:
Amber
morocco:
Orange
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
algeria:
Not typically used
morocco:
Not used in Morocco
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
algeria:
Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
morocco:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Warning
algeria:
Usually triangular with red borders
morocco:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Algeria | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
algeria:
Usually not allowed unless indicated
morocco:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
algeria:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign
morocco:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Algeria | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
morocco:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
morocco:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
algeria:
Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age
morocco:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
algeria:
Displayed on windshield
morocco:
Displayed on the windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
morocco:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Algeria | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | Horn usage is more common compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
algeria:
More frequent use than in some countries
morocco:
Horn usage is more common compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
algeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks
morocco:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
algeria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
morocco:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Algeria | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Checkpoints used especially on holidays | Common, especially at night |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial |
Limits: Underage Drivers
algeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
morocco:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
algeria:
Checkpoints used especially on holidays
morocco:
Common, especially at night
Enforcement: Fines
algeria:
Varies; can be substantial
morocco:
Substantial
Emergency Services
| Algeria | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 1548 | 19 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 | 19 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or auto club | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
algeria:
1548
morocco:
19
Contact: Traffic Police
algeria:
17
morocco:
19
Contact: Roadside Assistance
algeria:
Contact insurance provider or auto club
morocco:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
morocco:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Algeria | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars | Varies; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Heavy fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Mandatory, fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed, may include points on license | Varies; can be substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; also through post or bank | Possible but fines usually paid later |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid promptly | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
algeria:
Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
algeria:
Heavy fines, possible jail time
morocco:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
morocco:
Mandatory, fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
morocco:
Fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
algeria:
Fines imposed, may include points on license
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
Payment: On The Spot
algeria:
Possible; also through post or bank
morocco:
Possible but fines usually paid later
Payment: Deadline
algeria:
Varies; typically must be paid promptly
morocco:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay