Morocco Road Rules: Speed Limits, Roundabouts and Road Signs

Morocco speed limits are simple: 60 km/h in towns (sometimes 40 in signed zones), 100 km/h on national roads and 120 km/h on motorways. Add compulsory seatbelts for everyone, practically zero tolerance for alcohol and a few local habits at roundabouts, and you know the essentials of driving legally in Morocco.

Morocco speed limits at a glance

Always follow posted signs over these defaults. The trickiest moment is when a fast national road enters a village: the limit can fall from 100 to 60 or even 40 in a few hundred metres, and this is precisely where speed checks are frequent. Our guide to police checkpoints in Morocco explains how those stops work.

Roundabouts: how priority works in practice

Roundabouts are everywhere in Moroccan towns, and they are where visitors feel least sure. The key is to read the signs on your approach:

• A yield sign (triangle) or "Cédez le passage" on your approach means you give way to traffic already on the roundabout, as in most of Europe.
• No sign at all can mean the older priority-to-the-right rule applies, so traffic entering from your right may expect to go first.
• Police officers or traffic lights at big roundabouts override everything else.

In real life, drivers are assertive and practice varies from one roundabout to the next. Enter slowly, make eye contact, signal your exit and never assume someone will stop for you. In a busy city like Marrakech, our practical tips for driving in Marrakech will help too.

Road signs you will see

Moroccan signs follow the international (Vienna Convention) style familiar to European drivers. Place names are written in Arabic and in French, and increasingly in Tifinagh (the Amazigh script) as well.

• Stop is written as "STOP" and in Arabic. It means a complete stop, wheels not moving, even when the road looks empty.
• Blue motorway signs and green signs for major routes guide you between cities.
• Warning triangles for animals, falling rocks or bends are common in the Atlas; take them seriously.
• "Ralentir" means slow down, and "Déviation" means diversion.

Other rules every visitor should know

Alcohol

Treat the limit as zero. Even a single drink can put you on the wrong side of the law, so simply do not drink and drive.

Seatbelts and children

Seatbelts are compulsory in front and rear seats. Young children should travel in a suitable child seat in the back; ask us to add one to your booking.

Phones

Using a hand-held phone while driving is prohibited. Set your GPS before leaving and use a mount.

Overtaking and solid lines

Never cross a continuous white line, and be patient behind trucks on mountain roads. Overtake only with a long, clear view.

Lights and night driving

Use dipped headlights at night and in tunnels. Outside towns, roads are often unlit and you may meet unlit carts, cyclists or animals, so we advise limiting long drives after dark.

Fines and documents

Fines for speeding and other offences are fixed by law and change from time to time, so we do not quote exact amounts; check locally if you want the latest figures. Minor offences are generally paid on the spot, and you should always ask for an official receipt. Keep your licence, passport and rental papers in the car. Visitors from the EU, the UK and Switzerland can usually drive on their licence, and an International Driving Permit is recommended; see our guide to the International Driving Permit in Morocco.

Choosing a car that makes rules easy to follow

A car with cruise control or a speed limiter makes it much easier to stay precisely at 100 or 120 on long stretches. Models like the Volkswagen Golf 8 or the Peugeot 3008 are relaxing on the motorway. Browse our full fleet to compare equipment.

Drive legally, drive relaxed

Remember the three numbers (60, 100, 120), read the roundabout signs and never drink and drive, and Moroccan roads become a pleasure. We are happy to go over the basics with you at handover. Reserve your car on our booking page or send us a message on WhatsApp at +212 606-957514.