Driving in Morocco vs. Spain: Key Differences Explained
Exploring the contrasting road regulations and practices in Morocco and Spain reveals significant variations that can impact travelers' experiences. From speed limitations to lane usage rules, each country has unique traffic protocols. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad, allowing drivers to navigate safely and confidently.
Lanes
| Morocco | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Departure depends on specific roads. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
morocco:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Presence
morocco:
Limited
spain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
morocco:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
morocco:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
morocco:
Limited
spain:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
morocco:
Departure depends on specific roads.
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
morocco:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
morocco:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
morocco:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
morocco:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Morocco | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 90 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, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
morocco:
40-60 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
morocco:
40 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
morocco:
100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
morocco:
90 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
morocco:
80 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
morocco:
100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
morocco:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
morocco:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
morocco:
Yes
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Morocco | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Orange | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Morocco | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
morocco:
Orange
spain:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
morocco:
Not used in Morocco
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
morocco:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
morocco:
Triangle-shaped with red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Morocco | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
morocco:
Not allowed
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
morocco:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Morocco | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required. | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield. | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
morocco:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
morocco:
International Driving Permit required
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
morocco:
Annual inspection required.
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
morocco:
Displayed on the windshield.
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
morocco:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
morocco:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Morocco | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Horn usage is more common compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
| 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
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
morocco:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Morocco | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
morocco:
0.02%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
morocco:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
morocco:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
morocco:
Common, especially at night
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
morocco:
Substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
morocco:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Morocco | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 19 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 19 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
Contact: General Emergency
morocco:
19
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
morocco:
19
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
morocco:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Penalties And Fines
| Morocco | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines for non-compliance | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and possible license suspension | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible but fines usually paid later | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
Common Fines: Speeding
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
morocco:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
morocco:
Mandatory, fines for non-compliance
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
morocco:
Fines and possible license suspension
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
morocco:
Possible but fines usually paid later
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.