Driving in Morocco vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
When exploring the roadways of Morocco and the United Arab Emirates, it's essential to understand their distinct regulations and customs. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane markings, and the protocols for emergency vehicles. This comparison serves to ensure a secure driving experience, allowing travelers to navigate each country’s unique traffic landscape confidently.
Lanes
| Morocco | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 6 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Departure depends on specific roads. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| 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, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
morocco:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Right
morocco:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
morocco:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
morocco:
Limited
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
morocco:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
morocco:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
morocco:
Limited
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
morocco:
Departure depends on specific roads.
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
morocco:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
morocco:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
morocco:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
morocco:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Morocco | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 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 | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
morocco:
40 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
morocco:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
morocco:
90 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
morocco:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
morocco:
120 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
morocco:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
morocco:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
morocco:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
morocco:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
morocco:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Morocco | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Orange | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Morocco | Not used in UAE |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
morocco:
Orange
united arab emirates:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
morocco:
Not used in Morocco
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
morocco:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
morocco:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
morocco:
Triangle-shaped with red border
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Morocco | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
morocco:
Not allowed
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
morocco:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Morocco | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required. | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield. | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
morocco:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
morocco:
International Driving Permit required
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
morocco:
Annual inspection required.
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
morocco:
Displayed on the windshield.
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
morocco:
Mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Morocco | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Horn usage is more common compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
| 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
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
morocco:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Morocco | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
morocco:
0.02%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
morocco:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
morocco:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
morocco:
Common, especially at night
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
morocco:
Substantial
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Morocco | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 19 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 19 | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
morocco:
19
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
morocco:
19
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
morocco:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
morocco:
Mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Morocco | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines for non-compliance | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and possible license suspension | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible but fines usually paid later | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
morocco:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
morocco:
Mandatory, fines for non-compliance
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
morocco:
Fines and possible license suspension
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
morocco:
Possible but fines usually paid later
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
morocco:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay