Driving in Morocco vs. Netherlands: Key Safety Differences
When comparing the driving customs of Morocco and the Netherlands, significant distinctions emerge that could affect your journey. From lane markings and speed limits to traffic signals and vehicle regulations, understanding these variances is crucial for a secure experience abroad. Familiarize yourself with these unique road norms to ensure a safe and enjoyable adventure.
Lanes
| Morocco | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Departure depends on specific roads. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
morocco:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
morocco:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Bus Lanes: Presence
morocco:
Limited
netherlands:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Markings
morocco:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
morocco:
Limited
netherlands:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
morocco:
Departure depends on specific roads.
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
morocco:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
morocco:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
morocco:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Morocco | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
morocco:
40-60 km/h
netherlands:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
morocco:
40 km/h
netherlands:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
morocco:
100 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
morocco:
90 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
morocco:
120 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
morocco:
100 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
morocco:
100 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
morocco:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
morocco:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
morocco:
Yes
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Morocco | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Orange | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Morocco | Not used in Netherlands |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | Dutch; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
morocco:
Orange
netherlands:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
morocco:
Not used in Morocco
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Traffic Signs: Language
morocco:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
morocco:
Triangle-shaped with red border
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Morocco | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
morocco:
Not allowed
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
morocco:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Morocco | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required. | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield. | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
morocco:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
morocco:
International Driving Permit required
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
morocco:
Annual inspection required.
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
morocco:
Displayed on the windshield.
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
morocco:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Morocco | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Horn usage is more common compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
morocco:
Horn usage is more common compared to some countries
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
morocco:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Morocco | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
morocco:
0.02%
netherlands:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
morocco:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
morocco:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
morocco:
Common, especially at night
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
morocco:
Substantial
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Morocco | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
morocco:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Morocco | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 19 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 19 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
morocco:
19
netherlands:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
morocco:
19
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
morocco:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
morocco:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Morocco | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines for non-compliance | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and possible license suspension | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible but fines usually paid later | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
morocco:
Mandatory, fines for non-compliance
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
morocco:
Fines and possible license suspension
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
morocco:
Possible but fines usually paid later
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
morocco:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required