Driving in Morocco

The Spanish Embassy in Rabat states that a Spanish driving licence is valid in Morocco for up to one year. If you cross with your own car, you also need a green card that includes Morocco and the vehicle's temporary import permit at customs: the details are in the car guide on our ferry sister site.

Autoroutes du Maroc runs a network of 1,800 km. Tolls are paid by section; for a car, the published rate was 25 between Casablanca and Rabat, 68 between Kenitra Nord and Tanger Ouest, 89 to the port of Tanger Med and 83 to 89 between Nouaceur and Marrakesh (the page does not state the currency: it is understood to be dirhams).

The Jawaz electronic toll tag lets you through reserved lanes at 20 km/h. It is sold at toll plazas, at motorway agencies and through several payment networks, and can be topped up online.

The general limits for cars are 60 km/h in town, 100 on ordinary roads and 120 on motorways. Spain's Foreign Ministry advises against driving at night, warns of frequent Gendarmerie checks and says that, in the event of an accident, you should not move the vehicle until the Gendarmerie arrives.

On mountain roads, expect lorries, cyclists, animals and daring overtaking. A short stage in daylight beats a long one at night.

Conditions depend on each company. One of the big names, for example, requires drivers to be 21, to have held a licence for up to two years depending on the category, and may ask for an international driving permit. Read the terms before you book.

Expect a deposit to be blocked on your card, released days or weeks later. If you are only visiting cities linked by rail, you may not need a car at all.