Driving Differences: Mexico vs Morocco – Safety Tips
When traveling in Mexico and Morocco, understanding the driving regulations and road customs is essential for a secure journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, documentation requirements, and the use of public transport lanes. By familiarizing yourself with these variations, you can navigate both countries more confidently and safely.
Lanes
| Mexico | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. | Departure depends on specific roads. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
mexico:
Yes
morocco:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
morocco:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
morocco:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
mexico:
Yes
morocco:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
morocco:
Departure depends on specific roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
morocco:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
mexico:
N/A
morocco:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
morocco:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Mexico | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 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 | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
mexico:
30 km/h
morocco:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
80 km/h
morocco:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80 km/h
morocco:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
70-80 km/h
morocco:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
100-120 km/h
morocco:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80-100 km/h
morocco:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
80-100 km/h
morocco:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
morocco:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
morocco:
Yes
Signals
| Mexico | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Orange |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mexico | Not used in Morocco |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
mexico:
Amber
morocco:
Orange
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
morocco:
Not used in Morocco
Traffic Signs: Language
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
morocco:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
morocco:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Mexico | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
morocco:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
morocco:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Mexico | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
morocco:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
morocco:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
morocco:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
morocco:
Displayed on the windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory
morocco:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mexico:
Not mandatory
morocco:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Mexico | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | 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
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
morocco:
Horn usage is more common compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
mexico:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
morocco:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Mexico | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays | Common, especially at night |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
mexico:
0.08%
morocco:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
mexico:
0.04%
morocco:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
morocco:
Common, especially at night
Enforcement: Fines
mexico:
Can be substantial
morocco:
Substantial
Emergency Services
| Mexico | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 19 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 066 or 911 | 19 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
mexico:
911
morocco:
19
Contact: Traffic Police
mexico:
066 or 911
morocco:
19
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
morocco:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
morocco:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
morocco:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Mexico | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license | Varies; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, up to $50, points in some states | Mandatory, fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; can lead to significant fines | Fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; can be substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred | Possible but fines usually paid later |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; system improvements for online payments | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
morocco:
Mandatory, fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
morocco:
Fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
Payment: On The Spot
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
morocco:
Possible but fines usually paid later
Payment: Deadline
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments
morocco:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay