In this story
- Booking a rental car in Morocco
- Choose an automatic if possible
- Is a Dutch driving license valid in Morocco?
- Pay close attention to the name on your credit card
- Check the deposit and insurance in advance
- Always photograph existing damage
- Driving in Marrakech is chaotic
- What are the roads outside Marrakech like?
- Expect frequent police checks
- Getting fuel in Morocco
- Parking near cities and medinas
- Download offline maps in advance
- Is renting a car in Morocco worth it?
During our 10-day road trip through Morocco, we drove a rental car from Marrakech through the Atlas Mountains to Todra Gorge, Merzouga, Dades Gorge, and Aït Ben Haddou. We then returned to Marrakech and ended our trip in Essaouira.
Having a rental car gave us an incredible amount of freedom. We could stop at viewpoints, visit smaller villages, and adjust our plans whenever we wanted. At the same time, renting the car did not go entirely as expected, and driving in Morocco can sometimes be intense. In this article, we share our experience and the most important things to know before you go.
Booking a rental car in Morocco
We compared prices through Skyscanner and booked our car in advance. We picked it up at Marrakech Menara Airport and returned it there at the end of our road trip. When you book through a comparison website, your final rental agreement is usually with a separate rental company. Do not rely only on the information shown by the comparison site; also read the terms of the actual provider. Pay particular attention to the deposit, insurance, accepted payment cards, driver age, and requirements for the name shown on the credit card.
Choose an automatic if possible
We rented an automatic and found it very convenient. On unfamiliar roads, you can focus more on the traffic, navigation, and unexpected situations instead of changing gears. An automatic gave us a little more peace of mind, especially in Marrakech, on busy roundabouts, and while driving through the mountains. Automatic rental cars are often more expensive and sell out faster, so reserve one well ahead of your trip. A manual car is perfectly fine too if you feel comfortable driving one.
Is a Dutch driving license valid in Morocco?
A valid Dutch driving license is sufficient for tourists driving in Morocco. You do not need an international driving permit for a regular vacation. A rental company may have additional requirements, such as a minimum age or a minimum number of years you must have held your license. When collecting the car, we had to show our driving license and passport as well as a credit card in the main driver’s name. Check in advance that the name on your reservation matches the name on the credit card.
Pay close attention to the name on your credit card
When we picked up the car, there was a discussion about the name on our credit card. Like many Dutch credit cards, ours showed initials rather than a fully written first name. The staff at the desk told us that the card could therefore not be used for the deposit and that we had to buy a more expensive insurance package. We could not find this specific requirement in our original booking terms. This made us feel under considerable pressure because, once you have arrived, you have few alternatives and need the car for your trip. Before booking, ask the actual rental company exactly how the name must appear on the credit card. If in doubt, request written confirmation. Also save screenshots or a PDF of the terms that apply when you make the booking.
Check the deposit and insurance in advance
Almost every rental car requires a credit card on which the rental company can reserve a deposit. Check the amount in advance and make sure your card has enough available credit. Also read carefully which insurance is already included in the booking. Insurance purchased in advance through a booking platform is not always the same as insurance provided by the local rental company. If there is damage, you may have to pay first and claim the money back later. We ultimately purchased additional insurance at the desk. We were still nervous when returning the car, but fortunately it was accepted without any problems and our deposit was refunded.
Always photograph existing damage
When collecting the car, walk around it with an employee and check that all existing damage is listed on the rental form. We also took our own photos of the existing damage. Ideally, record a video showing the full exterior, windows, wheels, tires, mirrors, and interior. Photograph the fuel level and mileage as well. Repeat the process when returning the car. This gives you evidence of the condition in which you received and returned it if there is a dispute later.
Driving in Marrakech is chaotic
Driving in Marrakech was by far the most difficult part of our road trip. Cars, scooters, taxis, cyclists, pedestrians, and sometimes animals all move around each other. Lanes are not always followed clearly, and traffic on roundabouts can feel chaotic. Try to drive through the center as little as possible. Park at your accommodation or in a guarded parking lot and explore the medina on foot. Many streets in the old city are inaccessible to cars anyway. If you are staying in Marrakech for a few days first, it may be more convenient to collect the rental car only when you leave the city.
What are the roads outside Marrakech like?
Outside the major cities, we found driving in Morocco quite manageable. The main roads were generally in good condition, and traffic was often light. Roads in the Atlas Mountains are more winding, and you need to account for elevation changes, slow-moving traffic, and unexpected situations. We occasionally encountered an unpaved section, but a regular passenger car was sufficient for our route. An SUV may be more comfortable on rough roads, but you do not need a 4x4 if you stick to the usual main routes. Do not take a regular rental car into the desert on your own. For the loose sandy tracks around Merzouga, we used the 4x4 transport arranged by our desert camp.
Expect frequent police checks
We encountered regular police and speed checks along the way. We received a fine both for speeding and for a passenger not wearing a seat belt in the back. Our fines were usually around €10 to €40. Watch the speed limit signs carefully. The limit can drop sharply when you approach a village, and checks are common around these areas. Make sure everyone in the car wears a seat belt, including passengers in the back. Keep your driving license, rental documents, and passport or a copy of it within easy reach.
Getting fuel in Morocco
There were plenty of gas stations along the main routes, so finding fuel was rarely a concern. Keep in mind that not every station accepts debit or credit cards. Always carry enough Moroccan dirhams in cash. In remote areas, do not wait until the tank is almost empty. If you pass a gas station with a long drive ahead, it is wise to fill up immediately.
Parking near cities and medinas
Near many accommodations and medinas, you can leave your car in a guarded parking lot. Sometimes this is an official parking area, and sometimes an attendant watches the cars. Agree on the price in advance if it is not clearly displayed, and keep the parking ticket if you receive one. Ask your accommodation where it is best to leave the car. A riad inside the medina is usually not directly accessible by car. In Merzouga, we could park for free behind a gate at the hotel owned by the team behind our desert camp.
Download offline maps in advance
We did not have a reliable internet connection everywhere during our road trip. Reception can disappear, especially in the mountains and more remote areas. Download offline maps for your entire route before you leave. Set up navigation before driving and ask a passenger to make any adjustments along the way. Keep in mind that estimated travel times in navigation apps can be optimistic. Mountain roads are winding, you may encounter slow traffic, and you will probably want to stop regularly at viewpoints.
Is renting a car in Morocco worth it?
For a road trip, we would absolutely rent a car again. It gave us the freedom to choose our own route and visit places that are harder to reach by public transportation. A regular passenger car was sufficient for our route, and an automatic made driving much more comfortable. The main things to watch out for are the credit card requirements, unexpected insurance costs, police checks, and busy traffic in Marrakech. If you are only staying in Marrakech or another major city, we would not rent a car. If you are taking a road trip through the Atlas Mountains, past the gorges, and toward the Sahara, a rental car is one of the best ways to explore Morocco.
About the authorHi! I'm HadassaAlways planning my next trip and happiest when discovering somewhere new. I love finding beautiful routes, new destinations and special places along the way, and sharing everything I learn to make planning your own trip a little easier.
@guidehadassa
