Driving in China vs. Morocco: Key Safety Differences
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between China and Morocco. From lane markings and speed limits to traffic signals and penalties, each country presents unique approaches to vehicular navigation. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring your well-being on the roads while traveling abroad.
Lanes
China | Morocco | |
---|---|---|
Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Railroad crossings | Pedestrian crossings |
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane if possible. | Use rightmost lane. |
Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Departure depends on specific roads. |
Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | N/A |
Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
morocco:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
morocco:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
morocco:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
morocco:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
morocco:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
morocco:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
morocco:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
morocco:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
morocco:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
morocco:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
morocco:
Departure depends on specific roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
morocco:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
morocco:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
morocco:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
morocco:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
morocco:
N/A
Speeds Limits
China | Morocco | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
morocco:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
morocco:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
morocco:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
morocco:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
morocco:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
morocco:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
morocco:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
morocco:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
morocco:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
morocco:
Yes
Signals
China | Morocco | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Orange |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Morocco |
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
china:
Amber
morocco:
Orange
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
morocco:
Not used in Morocco
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
morocco:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
morocco:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
morocco:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
China | Morocco | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Not allowed |
U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
morocco:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
morocco:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
China | Morocco | |
---|---|---|
Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Chinese driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required for short visits | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | International Driving Permit required |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Annual inspection required. |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield. |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
morocco:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
morocco:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
morocco:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
morocco:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
morocco:
Displayed on the windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
morocco:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
China | Morocco | |
---|---|---|
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Horn usage is more common compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
morocco:
Horn usage is more common compared to some countries
Alcohol
China | Morocco | |
---|---|---|
Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common, especially at night |
Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Substantial |
Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
morocco:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
morocco:
Common, especially at night
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
morocco:
Substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
morocco:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
China | Morocco | |
---|---|---|
Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight |
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
morocco:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
China | Morocco | |
---|---|---|
Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 19 |
Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 19 |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
morocco:
19
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
morocco:
19
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
morocco:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
morocco:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
China | Morocco | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; can be substantial |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Mandatory, fines for non-compliance |
Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines and possible license suspension |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Varies; can be substantial |
Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Possible but fines usually paid later |
Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
morocco:
Mandatory, fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
morocco:
Fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
morocco:
Possible but fines usually paid later
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
morocco:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay