Driving in Morocco: Complete Road Trip Guide

Picking up in one city and dropping off in another. Marrakech to Fes is the most common and most expensive. Some agencies waive it for rentals over 7 days.

Fee for picking up or returning at an airport location. Often hidden in the fine print. Ask specifically about this when booking.

Adding a second authorized driver. Some agencies include one free additional driver. Always declare second drivers to maintain insurance validity.

Most agencies allow a 30-60 minute grace period. After that, hourly charges or a full extra day fee applies. Return on time.

Full-to-full is the fairest policy. Some budget agencies use full-to-empty (you pay for a full tank upfront, no refund for unused fuel). Always clarify the fuel policy.

Most rental agreements prohibit taking the car out of Morocco. This means no driving into Spain via the Ceuta/Melilla enclaves or ferry. Violation voids your insurance.

Do not rent a GPS from the agency. Use Google Maps or Maps.me on your phone with a local SIM card. Much cheaper and more up-to-date.

Baby and child seats available but often in poor condition. Consider bringing your own for long trips. Request at booking time as supply is limited.

All toll booths accept cash in MAD. Keep small bills (20, 50, 100 MAD notes) handy. The booths usually give change. No credit cards accepted at toll booths. Approach the lanes marked with a hand symbol for cash payment.

Electronic toll tag for faster passage through dedicated Jawaz lanes. Available at ADM offices, some fuel stations, and online. Costs 50 MAD for the tag plus whatever balance you load. Worth it if you are driving extensively on autoroutes. Some rental cars come with a Jawaz tag (charges added to your bill).

Right-Hand Traffic

Morocco drives on the right side of the road, same as continental Europe and the Americas. If you are from the UK, Australia, or Japan, take extra care.

Seatbelts Mandatory

Front seat passengers must wear seatbelts at all times. Rear seatbelts are legally required where fitted. Fine: 300 MAD.

Roundabout Priority

Traffic already in the roundabout has priority. Yield before entering. In practice, Moroccan drivers often enter without yielding, so be defensive and ready to brake.

Priority to the Right

At unmarked intersections, vehicles coming from the right have priority. This catches many visitors off guard. Always slow down at intersections without signs.

Mobile Phone Use

Using a handheld phone while driving is illegal. Fine: 300-500 MAD. Use a phone mount and hands-free/Bluetooth if you need GPS navigation.

Drink Driving

Legal blood alcohol limit is 0.02% (essentially zero tolerance). Morocco is a Muslim country and drink-driving is taken very seriously. Fines from 5,000 MAD and possible imprisonment.

Headlights

Headlights must be on from sunset to sunrise and during poor visibility. Daytime running lights are not mandatory but recommended in mountains.

Horn Usage

Technically prohibited in cities (fine: 100 MAD), but universally used. A quick tap means "I am here." In mountains, honk before blind corners to alert oncoming traffic.

Overtaking

Only overtake on the left. Dashed center lines indicate overtaking is permitted. Solid lines mean no overtaking. In practice, other drivers may overtake dangerously, so always check mirrors before any maneuver.

Speed Cameras

Fixed cameras on autoroutes and mobile radar units on national roads. Fines are mailed to the rental agency and charged to your credit card. Use Waze app for real-time alerts.