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Cross-border route

Morocco Mauritania

Driving across the border

Yes — you can drive from Morocco into Mauritania: carry a certified IDP translation of your licence alongside the original so border officials and rental desks can read your credentials. Mauritania expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP, prepared in the 1949 Geneva Convention format. Both countries drive on the right, so there is no change of driving side at the border. Plan your border crossing in advance and keep your passport, national licence and IDP together.

Get my permit for Mauritania Mauritania requirements

Last reviewed July 2026

Route at a glance

FromMorocco

ToMauritania

IDP in MauritaniaStrongly recommended

Accepted format1949 Geneva

Driving sideright (no change)

Currency in MauritaniaMRU

Emergency number117 (police), 101 (ambulance)

Top speed limit90 km/h highways

Morocco → Mauritania

Crossing the border

Morocco and Mauritania share a land border you can cross by car. Keep your passport, national driving licence and International Driving Permit together, and check opening hours and any toll or vignette requirements before you travel.

Driving rules in Mauritania

Drive on the right.
Sand drifts across desert roads.
Alcohol is prohibited.
Carry passport, IDP and home licence.

Once you're driving in Mauritania

Destination-specific detail sourced from national road authorities, motoring clubs and rental policies — the things that catch cross-border drivers out.

Driving on a foreign licence

Foreign visitors should carry both their home licence and an International Driving Permit; the IDP (a French translation) is effectively required and is requested at the frequent police roadblocks. Rental firms expect both documents at pickup.

Tolls & road charges

There are no toll roads in Mauritania, so no vignette or e-tag is needed. The main paved corridors (e.g. Nouakchott-Nouadhibou, Nouakchott-Rosso) are free to use.

Parking in the cities

Parking is largely unregulated and informal, with no paid colour-coded zones; in central Nouakchott self-appointed gardiens will watch your car for a small tip. Avoid leaving vehicles unattended off main streets.

Fines & camera enforcement

Police roadblocks may levy on-the-spot cash fines for licence, insurance or document irregularities, so insist on a receipt. The mandatory windscreen insurance sticker (about 950 MRU / US$26 for 10 days) is checked and its absence draws an immediate penalty.

If you have an accident

A police report must be filed for any crash; if there is injury or death the drivers involved are typically detained until a judge determines responsibility. Dial 117 for police (response is slow outside Nouakchott) and do not move vehicles before officers attend where possible.

Driving in the capital

In Nouakchott expect routine police checkpoints where you must produce ID, licence/IDP and the windscreen insurance sticker; the unpaved, sandy side-streets off the main avenues bog ordinary cars easily.

Sources: tyremap.com · internationaldriversassociation.com · automauritanie.com · travel.gc.ca

Common questions

Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive from Morocco to Mauritania?

Yes — Mauritania commonly asks foreign drivers to carry an IDP with their national licence. Mauritania recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention format, which is the format your certified IDP translation is prepared in.

Does the driving side change between Morocco and Mauritania?

No. Both Morocco and Mauritania drive on the right.

What is the emergency number and speed limit in Mauritania?

In Mauritania, dial 117 (police), 101 (ambulance) for emergencies; 112 also works from most GSM phones. The maximum for cars on the fastest road class is 90 km/h highways, but posted limits in towns and on secondary roads are lower and always take precedence.

How do tolls and road charges work in Mauritania?

There are no toll roads in Mauritania, so no vignette or e-tag is needed. The main paved corridors (e.g. Nouakchott-Nouadhibou, Nouakchott-Rosso) are free to use.

How quickly can I get an IDP for this trip?

International Driver Licence issues your digital IDP in as fast as 8 minutes, so you can have it ready before you set off.

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