Mauritania Driving Theory Practice cheat sheet

Sign families in Mauritania follow the Vienna Convention shapes: red-bordered circles = prohibitions, blue circles = obligations, triangles with red border = warnings, blue squares/rectangles = information, octagon = STOP, inverted triangle = give way (cédez le passage).

Prohibition signs take effect from the sign to the next intersection or to an end-of-prohibition sign; they are not cancelled by a single side road unless a sign says so.

Warning triangles are placed 50 m before the hazard in built-up areas and 150 m outside them; in Mauritania the same distances apply on the Nouakchott–Nouadhibou corridor outside towns.

A red circle with a white bar means no entry for all vehicles; a red circle with a white horizontal bar on blue is a one-way street - the arrow direction shows permitted travel.

Temporary yellow roadworks signs override permanent signs; the lower speed limit on a yellow sign applies until an end-of-works sign.

Traffic lights: red = stop before the stop line; amber alone = stop unless stopping would cause a collision; flashing amber = proceed with caution; green arrow = protected movement only in the arrow direction.

Police or gendarmerie hand signals outrank traffic lights and signs; a raised arm palm-forward means stop for traffic approaching from the front, side arm sweeps mean proceed.

Level crossing signs without barriers require a stop only if a train is approaching; with barriers or lights, stop whenever the barrier is down or the red light flashes.

Default rule: at an unmarked intersection, yield to traffic approaching from your right (priorité à droite).

A STOP sign requires a complete stop at the stop line or, if none, at the edge of the crossing road - rolling stops are an offence and a common cause of failure in the theory test.

Give-way (cédez le passage) means slow and yield; you need not stop if the way is clear, but you must be able to stop if it is not.

Left turn: yield to oncoming traffic going straight or turning right; you cross their path, so they have priority unless a green arrow protects you.

Roundabouts in Mauritania follow the yield-on-entry rule: entering vehicles give way to traffic already circulating, which comes from the left.

Emerging from a private driveway, car park, dirt track or petrol station: you yield to all traffic on the public road, including cyclists and pedestrians.

Trams, buses leaving a stop in built-up areas, and emergency vehicles with sirens and lights have priority; do not follow an emergency vehicle closely.

At a junction where a traffic light fails, the priority-to-the-right rule and existing signs apply as if unmarked.

Mauritanian speed limits in built-up areas are commonly 40–60 km/h depending on signage; outside built-up areas the general limit is 90 km/h and 110 km/h on the Nouakchott–Nouadhibou highway unless signed otherwise.

Seat belts are mandatory for the driver and all front-seat occupants; children under 10 must travel in the rear with an appropriate restraint where available.

Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is prohibited; only hands-free equipment is permitted.

Overtaking on the left is the rule; overtaking on the right is allowed only when the vehicle ahead is signalling a left turn or in congested multi-lane traffic.

Overtaking is forbidden at level crossings, on blind bends, at the crest of a hill, at pedestrian crossings, and where a solid white line separates the lanes.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited; Mauritania applies a zero-tolerance approach for professional and public-transport drivers.

Documents carried while driving: valid driving licence, vehicle registration card (carte grise), insurance certificate, and technical inspection certificate for vehicles subject to it.

Motorcycles and mopeds must use a helmet; carrying a child under 10 as a pillion passenger is prohibited.

Minimum tyre tread depth is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread; below this, grip in rain and on sand deteriorates sharply.

Tyre pressure is checked cold; under-inflation raises fuel consumption, overheats the sidewall and increases the risk of blowout on hot Mauritanian tarmac.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic: replace it roughly every two years; a spongy pedal usually indicates air or moisture in the hydraulic circuit.

The dashboard red oil-can warning means stop the engine immediately - continuing risks total engine destruction; amber warnings allow a cautious drive to a garage.

Coolant level is checked only when the engine is cold; opening a hot radiator cap causes severe scalding.

Loads must be secured and must not obscure lights, plates or the driver's view; overhanging loads are marked and, at night, lit.

Before a long desert trip check: spare wheel and jack, coolant, oil, brake pads, lights, wiper blades, and a fire extinguisher and warning triangle on board.

ABS prevents wheel lock under braking but does not shorten stopping distance on sand or gravel; keep a longer following gap on unpaved roads.

Two-second rule: stay at least two seconds behind the vehicle ahead; double it in rain, at night, or when following a heavy vehicle.

Blind spots: check mirrors, signal, then turn the head to check the blind spot before any lane change or overtaking manoeuvre.

Fatigue is a major hazard on long desert routes - take a break at least every two hours and do not drive more than about 8–10 hours a day.

At night, dip headlights when meeting oncoming traffic or following another vehicle; full beam is for empty road only.

Children, cyclists, pedestrians near markets and animals (camels, goats, donkeys) on rural roads are unpredictable: slow down and cover the brake.

In sandstorms or dust, reduce speed, switch on dipped headlights and fog lights, increase the following gap, and be ready to stop clear of the carriageway.

Aquaplaning: ease off the accelerator, hold the wheel steady, do not brake hard - grip returns as speed drops.

Overtaking a lorry: check mirrors and blind spot, ensure a clear gap, and complete the manoeuvre quickly; do not linger alongside.

Accident procedure: stop, switch on hazard lights, place the warning triangle at 30 m (150 m on a motorway or fast road), give first aid if trained, and call the emergency services.

In Mauritania the police (police nationale) or gendarmerie attend accidents; the emergency number for police is 117 and for fire/ambulance 118 - confirm locally before travelling.

Do not move an injured person unless there is fire, risk of further collision, or the airway is blocked; moving a spinal injury can cause paralysis.

If a vehicle catches fire, stop, switch off the engine, get everyone out and move at least 50 m upwind; do not open the bonnet if the fire is under it.

A tyre blowout: hold the wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, do not brake sharply, steer straight and slow gradually before pulling over.

Brake failure: pump the pedal, use engine braking by shifting down, apply the handbrake gradually, and steer toward a safe run-off or sand verge.

If your vehicle stalls on a level crossing, get everyone out immediately and move away; only try to push it clear if no train is in sight and you can do so safely.

After any accident, exchange details (name, address, insurer, registration) and complete a joint accident report (constat amiable) if possible.

Mauritania's main paved artery is the Nouakchott–Nouadhibou road (about 470 km); most other routes are pistes (unpaved tracks) where speeds should drop to 40–60 km/h.

On unpaved pistes, follow existing wheel tracks; driving off-track in dunes risks bogging down and damaging vegetation that stabilises the sand.

Urban driving in Nouakchott: watch for roundabouts, unmarked junctions, pedestrians, donkey carts and street vendors; speeds are typically signed at 40–60 km/h.

At night on rural roads, unlit vehicles, animals and pedestrians are common - reduce speed so you can stop within the distance lit by your headlights.

Motorways and dual carriageways: keep right except when overtaking; the left lane is for overtaking, not cruising.

In towns, bus lanes and cycle lanes are reserved; entering them outside permitted times is an offence.

Temporary roadworks: obey the yellow signs and flaggers; the temporary limit overrides the permanent one until the end of the works.

Sand drifts after storms can block parts of the carriageway - reduce speed and do not swerve sharply; brake before the drift, not in it.

Eco-driving: accelerate smoothly, shift up early (around 2,000–2,500 rpm in petrol cars), and maintain a steady speed; this can cut fuel use by 10–15%.

Tyres under-inflated by 0.5 bar can raise fuel consumption by about 2–3%; check pressures monthly and before long trips.

Remove roof racks and unnecessary loads when not needed - extra weight and drag increase consumption.

Anticipate traffic: release the accelerator early and coast to a stop rather than braking late; engine braking uses no fuel in modern injection engines.

Idling wastes fuel and pollutes; switch off the engine when stationary for more than about 30 seconds, except in traffic.

Air conditioning increases fuel use noticeably; at low speeds open the windows, at high speeds use air conditioning and closed windows.

Regular servicing (air filter, spark plugs, oil) keeps the engine efficient; a clogged air filter alone can raise consumption measurably.

Do not dump oil, batteries or tyres in the desert - they contaminate groundwater and are prohibited; use authorised collection points.

The driving licence is issued after passing the theory and practical tests; categories follow the standard AM/A1/A2/B/C/D system, and the licence is a credit-card-style document.

A probationary or new driver is subject to stricter limits and a lower penalty-point threshold in many jurisdictions; check the current Mauritanian rule before driving.

Penalty points are added for offences such as speeding, red-light running, phone use, drink-driving and failure to yield; accumulation can lead to suspension or cancellation of the licence.

Vehicle insurance (assurance au tiers) is compulsory; driving uninsured is an offence and can lead to a fine and vehicle impoundment.

The technical inspection (contrôle technique) is periodic for vehicles over a certain age; driving without a valid certificate is an offence.

Registration (carte grise) must be updated on change of owner or address; the vehicle must display a valid number plate at front and rear.

Accident reports and insurance claims: complete the constat amiable within the insurer's deadline and keep copies of all documents.

Fines may be settled on the spot or at the competent authority; always request a receipt, and check the current penalty schedule because amounts are revised periodically.