Driving in Morocco vs. Switzerland: Key Safety Differences
Explore the intriguing contrasts in vehicular regulations and road conduct between Morocco and Switzerland. From speed limits to lane usage and traffic signals, these nations exhibit notable variations. Understanding these distinctions is essential for a secure and smooth driving experience while navigating their unique roadways.
Lanes
| Morocco | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| 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.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
morocco:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
morocco:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Bus Lanes: Presence
morocco:
Limited
switzerland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Presence
morocco:
Limited
switzerland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
morocco:
Departure depends on specific roads.
switzerland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
morocco:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
morocco:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Morocco | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 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, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
morocco:
40-60 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
morocco:
40 km/h
switzerland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
morocco:
100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
morocco:
90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
morocco:
100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
morocco:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
morocco:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
morocco:
Yes
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Morocco | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Orange | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Morocco | Prepare to go |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
morocco:
Orange
switzerland:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
morocco:
Not used in Morocco
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Traffic Signs: Language
morocco:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
morocco:
Triangle-shaped with red border
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Morocco | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
morocco:
Not allowed
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
morocco:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Morocco | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required. | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield. | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
morocco:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
morocco:
International Driving Permit required
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
morocco:
Annual inspection required.
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
morocco:
Displayed on the windshield.
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
morocco:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Morocco | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
switzerland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
morocco:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
switzerland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Morocco | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
morocco:
0.02%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
morocco:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
morocco:
Common, especially at night
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
morocco:
Substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
morocco:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Morocco | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
morocco:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
morocco:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Morocco | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 19 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 19 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
morocco:
19
switzerland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
morocco:
19
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
morocco:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
morocco:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Morocco | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines for non-compliance | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and possible license suspension | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible but fines usually paid later | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
morocco:
Mandatory, fines for non-compliance
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
morocco:
Fines and possible license suspension
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
morocco:
Possible but fines usually paid later
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
morocco:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay