Driving in Morocco vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Morocco and North Macedonia, understanding the unique regulations is crucial for safe travel. Key distinctions include lane usage—where overtaking is allowed in Morocco but not in North Macedonia—and differing speed limits in urban areas. This comparison highlights essential aspects of driving etiquette and safety practices in both nations.
Lanes
| Morocco | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 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 marked paths. |
Overtaking: On Right
morocco:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Bus Lanes: Presence
morocco:
Limited
north macedonia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Markings
morocco:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
morocco:
Limited
north macedonia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
morocco:
Departure depends on specific roads.
north macedonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
morocco:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
Speeds Limits
| Morocco | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
Urban Areas: Standard
morocco:
40-60 km/h
north macedonia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
morocco:
40 km/h
north macedonia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
morocco:
100 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
morocco:
90 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
morocco:
80 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
morocco:
100 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Signals
| Morocco | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Orange | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Morocco | Prepare to go |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Prohibited in urban areas at night |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to signal other messages |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
morocco:
Orange
north macedonia:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
morocco:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
morocco:
Not used in Morocco
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
morocco:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
morocco:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
morocco:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
morocco:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Turns
| Morocco | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
morocco:
Not allowed
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
morocco:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Morocco | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required. | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield. | Displayed on the windshield |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
morocco:
Annual inspection required.
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
morocco:
Displayed on the windshield.
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Morocco | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| 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 |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
morocco:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
morocco:
Horn usage is more common compared to some countries
north macedonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
morocco:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
north macedonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Morocco | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
morocco:
0.02%
north macedonia:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
morocco:
Common, especially at night
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
morocco:
Substantial
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Morocco | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 19 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 19 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact local service providers |
Contact: General Emergency
morocco:
19
north macedonia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
morocco:
19
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
morocco:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Penalties And Fines
| Morocco | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines for non-compliance | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and possible license suspension | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible but fines usually paid later | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
morocco:
Mandatory, fines for non-compliance
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
morocco:
Fines and possible license suspension
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
morocco:
Possible but fines usually paid later
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
morocco:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay