So, you’ve tentatively boldly decided to bring your motorhome on the ferry or you’re coming on holiday and planning to rent a car in Morocco? Yalla! (And welcome to Morocco by the way). Now, without doubt, the next question on your mind is about driving in Morocco and about what the roads in Morocco are like…
Actually, driving in Morocco and getting around the country with your own transport is the most cost-effective way of traveling this large North African country. The roads in Morocco are surprisingly good and improving all the time.
But we agree, it is hard to imagine what driving in Morocco will be like. And especially when considering the contrast in coming from Europe.
Our advice? It’s best not to compare driving in Morocco with driving in Europe. (That’s tip number one!).
After months of driving in Morocco we feel confident and comfortable – and really enjoy driving here.
These are some of our most wondered about questions about the driving, the road conditions and some of the rules and regulations (or lack of) for driving in Morocco.
Driving in Morocco – contents
- Car rental in Morocco
- Taking your own vehicle to Morocco
- Driving laws
- Speed limits
- Road signs
- Traffic lights
- Livestock
- Toll roads in Morocco
- Roundabouts and intersections
- S-A-N-D
- Service stations
- Rural driving in Morocco
- City driving in Morocco
- Police checkpoints
- Driving at night
- Parking
Renting a car in Morocco
Renting a car in Morocco is a convenient and flexible way to get around.
The country is large and certainly diverse. A rental car will give you the freedom to see different areas at your own pace.
When renting a car in Morocco there are a few documents you need to bring.
- Your drivers license from your home country
- Passport
- Credit card
The legal driving age in Morocco is 18 years old. You do not need an International Driving Permit (IDP) however most rental car companies will require that you are over 21 years of age and have held your license for a minimum of 12 months.
All major international car rental agencies can be found in the main cities and international airports of Morocco.
Taking your own vehicle to Morocco
Taking your own vehicle by ferry to Morocco is a great way to explore a new country with the comfort of your own car.
- You must be 18 years old to drive a car in Morocco.
- You’ll need your driving license from your home country. International Driving Permits (IDP) are recognized in Morocco but not required unless you’re staying for longer than three months.
- You need your original motor vehicle registration document (and not the vehicle must be registered in the name on your passport, which should also match your driving license).
- You must take the original documents of the vehicle as you are required to temporarily import your vehicle into the country.
- You a required to have a minimum of third-part insurance to drive in Morocco. This can be your green card insurance, or it is possible to buy third party vehicle insurance at the port as you enter Morocco.
Driving laws in Morocco
These are the most common rules to be aware of driving in Morocco.
- Morocco drives on the right side of the road and overtakes on the left.
- The minimum age to drive is 18.
- You should always carry your valid driving license with you (as well as your passport).
- The law requires the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt.
- The international three-colour traffic light system is used in Morocco.
- Vehicles travelling on a main road and vehicles already on a roundabout system have priority.
- It is illegal to use radar detection equipment when driving in Morocco.
- Using a mobile phone while driving is prohibited by law.
- Although Morocco has no drink drive laws, it is forbidden to drink-and-drive and thus there is a zero alcohol blood tolerance.
Speed limits driving in Morocco
In Morocco police are strict applying the speed limit law. Even if it is only 5 km/h excess you can be issued a 400 MAD fine. So, watch your speed and save your money!
- The speed limits are 40 km/h within towns.
- Respect the maximum speed limit: 50 km/h in urban areas, 100 km/h on rural roads (depending on the limit set on the road).
- Maximum speed limit on the highways is 120 km/h.
Road signs in Morocco
Don’t worry about the language of road signs in Morocco. Stop signs look the same all over the world. It is just the writing that changes.
In Morocco the road signs are written in Arabic and French and often do have an English translation for important markets and signs. But even the stop signs written in Arabic are easy to spot. And for other road signs you can easily understand the meaning by the images.
You must be sure to stop completely. Otherwise, it’s just like in any other country and you could be and will be fined for failing to stop at a stop sign.
Changing speed limits in Morocco
Speed limits while driving in Morocco will change around the country.
It is not unusual for the speed limit to drop from 100kmph to 60kmph to 40kmph within a short distance. And then the speed signs will indicate you can move back up to 100kmph within half a kilometer.
It may not be clear as to why the speed has suddenly change especially if you are in the middle of the desert or long deserted highway stretches.
However, this sometimes can indicate you are passing a military base or turn-off, or it could be a checkpoint area that is not being used at the time.
Traffic lights in Morocco
More commonly found in bigger cities; traffic lights in Morocco work the same as all around the world. Red at the top; amber in the middle and green at the bottom.
However, the biggest concern to note about traffic lights in Morocco is their placement. It’s almost like they’re an afterthought.
Pulling up to an intersection as the first vehicle in line it’s almost impossible to view the traffic light.
- Tip: Stay a couple of meters back from the intersection so you have a better chance of seeing the traffic light.
Often the traffic lights are covered in sand or dust. But don’t despair, even if you can’t see the light, you will hear the vehicles behind you honking their horn and you’ll know the light is green…
Livestock on the roads in Morocco
Driving in Morocco you will definitely encounter livestock.
From donkeys to ducks, camels, cows and surely a tortoise or two! Normally a shepherd is not far away, but it is polite to slow down and pass with care.
And remember, horses and donkeys on the road outdate cars here and should be treated as traffic. (Albeit they don’t have mirrors or indicators so do pass with care).
Toll roads in Morocco
You don’t have to use toll roads a lot in Morocco, but they are available, and they do speed up the journey between Morocco’s major cities.
- Tip: Toll roads are more common in the northern parts of Morocco.
You can expect to pay anywhere from 10 MAD to 80 MAD depending on how long you’re on the road for.
Unlike European toll roads Morocco has not yet automated all its services. This means that most toll gates have a couple of booths that are manned by a person that will collect your payment in cash.
It’s handy to have small change ready to pay these tolls.
Service stations in Morocco
Gas stations in Morocco are widely available even in remote areas. Although you see images of long desert roads and remote nomadic villages the reality is you are never far from a service station.
Petrol stations do not work with self-service system (as in Europe). There is always an attendant to fill your vehicle with fuel.
Most larger gas stations in Morocco have a café and restrooms (of some description).
At the time of writing (2024) prices for fuel in Morocco are as follows:
- Diesel: 13.46 MAD
- Petrol: 14.43 MAD
- Tip: Note that in Morocco diesel is called ‘gasoil’. (Don’t panic and clamber over from the passenger side to try and stop the guy!). Make sure they have understood you need diesel and not petrol.
Roundabouts and intersections in Morocco
Roundabouts are funny things in Morocco. Drivers here have an unusual way of dealing with them and tend to use roundabouts a lot like intersections.
Pulling up to a roundabout in Morocco is less round and more likely to require you to stop, give-way or proceed with caution in order to fit with the traffic flow (or lack of it).
I suggest you be prepared to do one of the three…
- Roundabouts with traffic lights: If you are on it, stop to let the traffic that has a green light on your right to go first. If you enter it during green light, you have priority.
- Roundabouts without traffic lights: If you are on it, you have priority until you leave it. If you are about to enter it, do when it is possible or when no one comes your way.
Off-road conditions and S-A-N-D in Morocco
Sand. It’s a desert country and there’s lots of it. Definitely be careful and be very aware of s-a-n-d. It can be very unforgiving.
Long highways, especially in the south of the country, can have very little road-shoulder and what is offered as a place to pull over may actually be soft sand.
Stick to the road. What might look like a nice picnic spot and track just off the highway can be deceiving. We have even seen large overland vehicles stuck in deep, soft sand.
Sand drifts are another part of driving in Morocco to be aware of.
Again, this is more common in the south and fringing the Sahara. Sand can pile up on the sides of the highway and can be unsafe to hit at speed.
Rural roads and narrow lanes
Narrow-laned highways are becoming fewer and further between in rural Morocco. There are some patches of non-tolled highways where the road is older and although it is tar sealed there is no shoulder at all.
If you find yourself on a narrow-laned road, reduce your speed and try not to drop off the edge of the seal but stay as close as you can.
It can be quite a drop (10cm or more) off the edge of the seal which can be damaging for tires and will certainly give you a fright with a truck passing.
If you feel nervous with the narrow passing of a truck or bus, slow right down and pull off as far as you safely can.
Driving in Morocco – busy cities and medinas
City driving in Morocco can be overwhelming.
Like any busy city in the world, you’ve got a lot of people who know where they’re going and know what lane they should be in. It’s not a relaxing place to be as a half-lost tourist. But remember they are probably in a lot more of a hurry than you are.
Take your time and use your indicators.
Narrow lanes in the city are less common as driving routes (as cars get bigger and the roads get better). However, the Medina is not somewhere drivable and certainly not a place you want to end up.
Police checkpoints in Morocco
Checkpoints in Morocco can be anywhere and at any time of day or night. Most commonly in the south of Morocco and Western Sahara there are police checkpoints as you come into the town.
Don’t panic but do slow down and make sure your vehicle comes to a complete stop.
- Tip: Look out for signs for the checkpoints to the right-hand side of the road that say stop/halt (in Arabic, French and often Spanish).
These checkpoints are mostly to check registration and documents of local drivers and transport companies, but we have heard of motorhomes and rental cars that have failed to come to a complete stop and have been fined instantly.
It is always good to have your passport somewhere handy. Especially in the south they may register your passport and date of entry into their system (this can take a few minutes). But more often than not you will be waved straight on through.
Driving in Morocco at night
Most locals (and all guidebooks) will suggest you don’t drive in Morocco at night.
- Tip: Roads and bends are not lit up or signposted as they are in Europe.
It is not uncommon that vehicles may be on the road and driving at night without headlights or taillights. And it is more common to see livestock on the road at night (you do not want to be approaching a camel at speed driving at night).
If you find yourself driving into the night be sure to drive with extra caution.
Encountering roadworks
It turns out that signs for roadworks approaching are not universal. Sometimes there may just be a line of rocks directing you over to the other side of the motorway in place of a detour.
You do need to be aware at all times and slow down when passing road-workers.
Overtaking on the roads in Morocco
Double yellow lines may not (and likely do not) mean that no one will overtake you. Drive to your own ability.
If you find yourself with an impatient driver behind you and you can see the road is clear ahead, just give them a signal by indicating to the right and move over as far as you safely can.
They will zip past you and you can continue.
Parking in Morocco
Morocco has the usual rules within a city of where parking is allowed and prohibited. (Albeit the parking rules are not always adhered too).
However, Morocco also has a great system of guarded parking. This is ideal for parking a motorhome in Morocco or your rented vehicle.
- Tip: Download the app Park4Night. This app is your friend and will clearly lay out where these parking sites can be found.
These guarded parks are just that. A park that has a guard watching over your van or vehicle. It is never normally more than 10-20 MAD for a couple of hours and is a great option for a safe place to park in town.
No need to find the guard; they will find you. Often recognizable in their high-vis vest, they will help you (whether you need it or not) to back into a parking space.
It helps to be friendly and say hi. They will watch over your vehicle while you explore more of Morocco.
Best navigation apps for driving in Morocco
There are several options to help you navigate in Morocco.
You can use:
- Maps.me or
- Google Maps.
We found Google Maps the most accurate to help us navigate in Morocco. Though I suggest adding time generously (perhaps a third) to the predicted arrival time on whichever app you are using.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about driving in Morocco
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions – with answers – about driving in Morocco and about the road conditions in Morocco for driving.
What side of the road do they drive on in Morocco?
In Morocco vehicles drive on the right.
Can tourists drive in Morocco?
Yes. See above for further details but it is easy as a tourist to drive in Morocco (assuming you hold a valid driving license from your home country and are over the minimum driving age of 18).
Do you need an International Driving Permit?
An IDP is not required for driving in Morocco.
What are the speed limits?
The speed limits do vary in different settings and conditions around the country.
But as a general law the speed limits in Morocco:
- 50 km/h in urban areas
- 100 km/h on rural roads on rural roads (depending on the road).
- 120 km/h on motorways.
Maybe driving in Morocco isn’t so bad after all?
So, you see? Driving in Morocco isn’t half as bad as what you might have heard.
Driving around Morocco is the best way to travel. It will allow you to get the most out of your time in Morocco and to discover off the beaten track destinations and experiences that you can’t otherwise plan for.
The hype you heard about driving in Morocco? For the most part, it really isn’t so different from driving in Europe.
Albeit there is the odd donkey and cart to watch out for. Oh, and camels too.
But stay alert, vigilant and apply common sense and you’ll find yourself embarking on an epic road-trip adventure around this incredible North African country.
Driving in Morocco – and beyond…
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Read more about Morocco
- Taking the vehicle ferry from Spain to Morocco with your motorhome.
- Crossing the Morocco Mauritania border from Dakhla.
- Motorhome services in Morocco: What is it like?
- A guide to campsites in Morocco.
- Visiting the famous Guelmim Camel Market.
- Buying a SIM card in Morocco (and how to get unlimited data!).
