Driving in Morocco vs. Sweden: Key Safety Differences
When traversing the roads of Morocco and Sweden, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experiences. Key contrasts include lane markings, speed limits, and the use of emergency equipment, all of which play a vital role in ensuring road safety. Understanding these variations is essential for a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Morocco | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Departure depends on specific roads. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| 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.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
morocco:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
morocco:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
morocco:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
morocco:
Limited
sweden:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
morocco:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
morocco:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
morocco:
Limited
sweden:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
morocco:
Departure depends on specific roads.
sweden:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
morocco:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
morocco:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Morocco | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80-90 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 | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
morocco:
40-60 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
morocco:
40 km/h
sweden:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
morocco:
100 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
morocco:
90 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
morocco:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
morocco:
120 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
morocco:
100 km/h
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
morocco:
100 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
morocco:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
morocco:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
morocco:
Yes
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Morocco | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Orange | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Morocco | Not common in Sweden. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Use is generally discouraged. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | Swedish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
morocco:
Orange
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
morocco:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
morocco:
Not used in Morocco
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
morocco:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
morocco:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
morocco:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
morocco:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
morocco:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
morocco:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
morocco:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
morocco:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
morocco:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
morocco:
Triangle-shaped with red border
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| Morocco | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not generally allowed. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
morocco:
Not allowed
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
morocco:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
morocco:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
morocco:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
morocco:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
morocco:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Morocco | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield. | Proof may be required to be shown. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Driver's License: Requirement
morocco:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
morocco:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
morocco:
International Driving Permit required
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
morocco:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
morocco:
Displayed on the windshield.
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
morocco:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
morocco:
Mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| Morocco | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Horn usage is more common compared to some countries | Rarely used except for emergencies. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
morocco:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
morocco:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
morocco:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
morocco:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
morocco:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
morocco:
Horn usage is more common compared to some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
morocco:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
morocco:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
morocco:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Morocco | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Zero tolerance; 0.00%. |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for high levels or repeat offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: Professional Drivers
morocco:
0.00%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
morocco:
0.00%
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
morocco:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
morocco:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
morocco:
Common, especially at night
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
morocco:
Substantial
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
morocco:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
morocco:
Can result in license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Morocco | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if you plan to take the first exit. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
morocco:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
morocco:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
morocco:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
morocco:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
morocco:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
morocco:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Morocco | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 19 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 19 | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Contact: General Emergency
morocco:
19
sweden:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
morocco:
19
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
morocco:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
morocco:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
morocco:
Mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| Morocco | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines for non-compliance | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and possible license suspension | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible but fines usually paid later | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Typically within 30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
morocco:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
morocco:
Mandatory, fines for non-compliance
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
morocco:
Fines and possible license suspension
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
morocco:
Possible but fines usually paid later
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
morocco:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
morocco:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
morocco:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.