Driving Differences: Costa Rica vs. Morocco Explained
When comparing the road regulations of Costa Rica and Morocco, travelers will discover noteworthy distinctions. From bus lane usage to speed limits and alcohol restrictions, each country has unique driving norms that impact safety. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | Departure depends on specific roads. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
morocco:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
morocco:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
morocco:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
morocco:
Departure depends on specific roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
morocco:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
morocco:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
morocco:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
morocco:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
morocco:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
morocco:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
morocco:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
morocco:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
morocco:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
morocco:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
morocco:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
morocco:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
morocco:
Yes
Signals
| Costa rica | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Orange |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in Morocco |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
costa rica:
Amber
morocco:
Orange
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
morocco:
Not used in Morocco
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
morocco:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
morocco:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Turns
| Costa rica | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
morocco:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
morocco:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
morocco:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
morocco:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
morocco:
Displayed on the windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
morocco:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Horn usage is more common compared to some countries |
| 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
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
morocco:
Horn usage is more common compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
costa rica:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
morocco:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common, especially at night |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
costa rica:
0.05%
morocco:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
morocco:
Common, especially at night
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
morocco:
Substantial
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 19 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 19 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
morocco:
19
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
morocco:
19
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
morocco:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
morocco:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Mandatory, fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Varies; can be substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Possible but fines usually paid later |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
morocco:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
morocco:
Mandatory, fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
morocco:
Fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
morocco:
Possible but fines usually paid later