Can you drive in Morocco with a UK, US, Canadian, Indian or EU licence, and do you need an international driving permit? The rules for driving and renting a car in Morocco.
You are coming from the UK, Ireland, the United States, Canada, India or elsewhere and want to drive in Morocco, or rent a car in Marrakech? Good news: in most cases your national licence is enough. Here is which licence to show depending on your country, the documents asked for at handover and the special cases.
To book your car for this trip, see our car rental at Marrakech-Menara airport (RAK) and van rental in Marrakech pages.
Driving in Morocco with a UK licence
Yes. For a tourist stay, a valid UK photocard licence is recognised in Morocco: you can drive and rent a car without an international driving permit. Agencies usually ask for two years' driving experience. A paper-only licence or a provisional licence is not enough: bring the full photocard licence.
A suspended licence, or a temporary document while you wait for a new card, does not allow you to rent: the agency must see the original licence.
National licence or international driving permit?
For a tourist stay, your valid national licence is accepted by most agencies, as long as it is written in Latin characters. That covers licences from the UK, Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia and every EU country.
The international driving permit (IDP) is a translation document issued in your own country, shown together with your national licence. It is recommended, or even required, if your licence is written in another alphabet: Arabic from another country, Chinese, Cyrillic, Greek… Apply for it before you leave. It never replaces your national licence: you must show both.
| Your licence | What to show |
|---|---|
| UK, Irish, EU | Original national licence |
| US, Canadian, Australian | Original national licence |
| Written in another alphabet | National licence + international driving permit |
| Moroccan licence | Original Moroccan licence |
Driving in Morocco with a US, Canadian or Indian licence
US and Canadian licences are written in Latin characters and are accepted as they are for a tourist stay: just check the expiry date and that the licence covers ordinary cars. An Indian licence is usually in English as well; bring an international driving permit anyway, since some agencies and police officers ask for one with Indian licences.
Which licence do you need to rent a car in Morocco?
To rent an ordinary car you need a category B licence (or your country's equivalent), held for at least two years. It covers vehicles with up to 9 seats including the driver, so a 7-seater or a 9-seat minibus can be driven on a normal car licence.
Minimum age and years held
- Two years' licence at most agencies.
- 21 minimum for economy cars, city cars and SUVs with our current agencies.
- 25 often required for 4x4s and premium cars, sometimes with three years' licence.
Aged 21 to 24? Read our page on young driver car hire in Marrakech.
Documents to show at handover
- Your original driving licence: no photocopy, no phone version.
- Your passport.
- The deposit: in cash or as a card hold depending on the agency; it is returned at the end. See cash deposits explained.
- Your Locavi booking confirmation.
The name on the licence must match the main driver entered when booking.
Additional driver
Everyone who drives must be named on the contract and show their licence. The “additional driver” option costs 50 MAD a day. An undeclared driver is not insured in an accident: do not take that risk.
Automatic-only licence
If your licence is restricted to automatics, make sure you book an automatic car, such as the Peugeot 208. Tell the agency: it cannot hand you a manual.
How long can you drive on a foreign licence?
A foreign licence is valid in Morocco for a tourist stay of up to one year. If you move to Morocco and become a resident, you must exchange it for a Moroccan licence. For a rental of several months, see our long-term rental page.
Rules of the road
In Morocco you drive on the right. Speed limits: 60 km/h in town, 100 km/h on roads, 120 km/h on motorways. Police checks are frequent; always carry your licence, passport and the car papers given by the agency. Read our articles on driving in Morocco and driving in Marrakech.
Not sure?
Unusual licence (provisional, or from a country rarely seen)? Message us on WhatsApp before booking: we check with the agency and reply quickly, between 8 am and 10 pm.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. For a tourist stay a valid UK photocard licence is enough to drive and rent a car in Morocco, without an international driving permit, provided you have held it for at least two years with most agencies.
Not if your national licence is written in Latin characters (UK, US, Canada, EU…). It is recommended, or required, for a licence written in another alphabet.
21 with our agencies, with two years' licence. Some categories (4x4, premium) are reserved for drivers aged 25 and over.
For a tourist stay, up to one year. Residents must exchange their licence for a Moroccan one.
No: show the original licence. Photocopies and digital versions are not accepted at handover.
Compare every offer on our Car rental Marrakech page, or collect your car on landing with our Marrakech airport car rental service.
