Driving in Egypt vs. Morocco: Key Safety Differences
Driving in Egypt and Morocco presents unique challenges and regulations that every traveler should be aware of. From varying speed limits and lane usage to distinct traffic signals and alcohol limits, understanding these aspects is vital for ensuring a secure journey. Explore the significant contrasts to navigate these countries safely and confidently.
Lanes
| Egypt | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically used by buses and minibuses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not consistently marked. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles. | Departure depends on specific roads. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often unmarked. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits. | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Typically used by buses and minibuses.
morocco:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Not consistently marked.
morocco:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles.
morocco:
Departure depends on specific roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Often unmarked.
morocco:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
egypt:
N/A
morocco:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits.
morocco:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Egypt | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Yes |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
70-90 km/h
morocco:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
egypt:
70-90 km/h
morocco:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
70-90 km/h
morocco:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
90-120 km/h
morocco:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
egypt:
90-100 km/h
morocco:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
80-90 km/h
morocco:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits
morocco:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
morocco:
Yes
Signals
| Egypt | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Orange |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Egypt | Not used in Morocco |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used to communicate with other drivers | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines can occur for excessive misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To signal other drivers or warn of presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not officially regulated | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Used in some situations due to high traffic density | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with a red border and white background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
egypt:
Amber
morocco:
Orange
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
egypt:
Not used in Egypt
morocco:
Not used in Morocco
Horn Usage: Allowed
egypt:
Commonly used to communicate with other drivers
morocco:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
egypt:
Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage
morocco:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
egypt:
Fines can occur for excessive misuse
morocco:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
egypt:
To signal other drivers or warn of presence
morocco:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
egypt:
Not officially regulated
morocco:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
egypt:
Used in some situations due to high traffic density
morocco:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
egypt:
Arabic; symbols are standard
morocco:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
egypt:
Triangles with a red border and white background
morocco:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Egypt | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise | Not allowed |
Right Turn On Red
egypt:
Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise
morocco:
Not allowed
Documentation
| Egypt | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Egyptian driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Provided after passing inspection | Displayed on the windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
egypt:
Valid Egyptian driver's license required
morocco:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
egypt:
International Driving Permit recommended
morocco:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
egypt:
Mandatory annual inspection
morocco:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
egypt:
Provided after passing inspection
morocco:
Displayed on the windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
egypt:
Not mandatory
morocco:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Egypt | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Common in high traffic areas | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, though not always observed | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Horn usage is more common compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and allow passage | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
egypt:
Common in high traffic areas
morocco:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
egypt:
Common practice, though not always observed
morocco:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
egypt:
Commonly used
morocco:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
egypt:
Frequent use compared to some countries
morocco:
Horn usage is more common compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
egypt:
Give way and allow passage
morocco:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Egypt | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted frequently | Common, especially at night |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in penalties and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
egypt:
0.05%
morocco:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
egypt:
0.02%
morocco:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
egypt:
0.00%; zero tolerance
morocco:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
egypt:
Conducted frequently
morocco:
Common, especially at night
Enforcement: Fines
egypt:
Can be substantial
morocco:
Substantial
Test Refusal
egypt:
Can result in penalties and license suspension
morocco:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Egypt | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 19 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | 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
egypt:
122
morocco:
19
Contact: Traffic Police
egypt:
122
morocco:
19
Contact: Roadside Assistance
egypt:
Check with your insurance provider
morocco:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
egypt:
Not mandatory, but recommended
morocco:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Egypt | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Mandatory, fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for non-compliance | Fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and points on license | Varies; can be substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Possible but fines usually paid later |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
egypt:
Varies; fines can be significant
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
egypt:
Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time
morocco:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
morocco:
Mandatory, fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
morocco:
Fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
egypt:
Significant fines and points on license
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
Payment: On The Spot
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
morocco:
Possible but fines usually paid later
Payment: Deadline
egypt:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
morocco:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay