Driving Differences: Madagascar vs. Morocco Explained
Explore the intriguing contrasts between driving practices in Madagascar and Morocco. From speed limits to lane etiquette, these nations display unique regulations that impact road safety. Discover how varying rules surrounding overtaking, alcohol limits, and emergency protocols can influence your journey while driving abroad in these culturally rich destinations.
Lanes
| Madagascar | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically not used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Stay to the right lane when possible. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Available mainly in urban areas | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved mostly for buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be marked clearly in major cities. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Sparse | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles unless marked. | Departure depends on specific roads. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes, when possible. | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are fixed. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
madagascar:
Typically not used.
morocco:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
morocco:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
morocco:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
morocco:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
morocco:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
morocco:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Sparse
morocco:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
morocco:
Departure depends on specific roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
N/A
morocco:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
morocco:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
morocco:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Madagascar | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 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 | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, particularly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
madagascar:
50 km/h
morocco:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
madagascar:
50 km/h
morocco:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
morocco:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
morocco:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
morocco:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
morocco:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
morocco:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
morocco:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Not applicable
morocco:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
morocco:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
morocco:
Yes
Signals
| Madagascar | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Orange |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Morocco |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | May apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French and Malagasy | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
madagascar:
Amber
morocco:
Orange
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
madagascar:
Not commonly used
morocco:
Not used in Morocco
Horn Usage: Allowed
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
morocco:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
morocco:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
morocco:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
morocco:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
morocco:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
morocco:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
morocco:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Madagascar | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless specified otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
madagascar:
Prohibited
morocco:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
morocco:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Madagascar | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for all vehicles | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Indication may vary | Displayed on the windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
morocco:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
morocco:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
morocco:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
madagascar:
Indication may vary
morocco:
Displayed on the windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
morocco:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Madagascar | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Use is more frequent in urban areas | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Significantly used for communication with other drivers | Horn usage is more common compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
morocco:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
morocco:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
morocco:
Horn usage is more common compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
morocco:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
morocco:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Madagascar | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas | Common, especially at night |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
morocco:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
morocco:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
madagascar:
0.02%
morocco:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
morocco:
Common, especially at night
Enforcement: Fines
madagascar:
Can be substantial
morocco:
Substantial
Test Refusal
madagascar:
Results in penalties
morocco:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Madagascar | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Not commonly practiced | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
morocco:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
morocco:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Madagascar | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 117 | 19 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Could vary; commonly police contact | 19 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
madagascar:
117
morocco:
19
Contact: Traffic Police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
morocco:
19
Contact: Roadside Assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
morocco:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
morocco:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Madagascar | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines | Varies; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-use | Mandatory, fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use while driving | Fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Monetary fines applied | Varies; can be substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Possible but fines usually paid later |
| Payment: Deadline | Determined by issuing authority | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
morocco:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
morocco:
Mandatory, fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
morocco:
Fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
Payment: On The Spot
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
morocco:
Possible but fines usually paid later
Payment: Deadline
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
morocco:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay