Driving rules, and the ones that bite.
- Drive onRight
- Motorway limit120 km/h (100 in rain)
- Emergency112
Morocco drives on the right. The motorway speed limit is 120 km/h (100 km/h in rain). The emergency number is 112.
Zero. Any measurable alcohol is a criminal offence. Public drinking outside licensed premises is also illegal.
Driving tips
- Avoid driving at night outside cities. Unlit vehicles, livestock, and pedestrians on rural roads are the single biggest hazard in Morocco.
- Police checkpoints (Gendarmerie Royale) are common. Slow to walking pace, lower window, smile, hand over passport and Green Card if asked. Most are routine.
- Speed limits drop sharply on the approach to villages, often from 100 to 60 to 40 within 200 metres. Police set up radar at the lowest sign.
- Refuse all requests for cash from anyone other than a uniformed officer issuing an official ticket. Even then, ask for a receipt.
- Do not photograph police, military, border posts, or the royal family.
- The Atlas passes (Tizi n Tichka, Tizi n Test) have tight switchbacks and unprotected drops. In winter they can close at short notice for snow. Long rigs and twin-axle caravans should plan coastal alternatives.
- Friday is the holy day; many small businesses close Friday afternoons. During Ramadan, daytime cafe and restaurant service is reduced; carry food and water in the cab.
- The land border with Algeria has been closed since 1994. Do not approach it.
The toll system, and the city emissions rules.
- TollsTicket_And_Pay
- VignetteNot required
- Emission zoneNone
Moroccan tolls are cheap by European standards. The autoroute network (A-prefixed) is dramatically faster and safer than the parallel N-routes; pay the tolls.
No vignette needed in Morocco. Tolls are paid per journey at the booth or via the Jawaz electronic tag.
Low emission zones
No low emission zones. Older diesel motorhomes face no entry restrictions in Moroccan cities.
Read our complete guide to motorhome tolls and vignettes in Europe, and our guide to low emission zones.
What to carry, and what to bring.
- Required kit7 items
- Documents7 items
- Daytime headlightsNot required
Morocco requires a set of kit to be carried in the vehicle. Most of it is cheap and worth having anyway, so pack it before you leave rather than buy it at a roadside price.
- Reflective jacket. Carry 1 per occupant.
- Warning triangles. Carry 2.
- Spare bulb kit.
- Fire extinguisher.
- UK sticker.
- Headlight converters. Carry 1 pair.
- Green Card (Morocco).
Documents to bring
For your own vehicle, carry your Passport (6+ months validity, blank page), UK driving licence (photocard), International Driving Permit (1949 Convention), V5C log book, Insurance certificate with Morocco extension or Green Card, D16ter Temporary Vehicle Import declaration (issued at port on arrival) and Travel insurance with Morocco cover.
For a rental or hire vehicle, you also need your Passport, UK driving licence + IDP 1949, VE103 certificate, Hire company written authorisation to take vehicle to Morocco and Licence check code.
Gas, electric, and the weekly shop.
- LPG fittingEuronozzle
- CurrencyMAD
- Emergency112
- Sunday shopping09:00-22:00
GPL (autogas) is rare in Morocco. A handful of stations sell it, but the fitting differs from the European Euronozzle and coverage is patchy. If you rely on LPG for cooking and refrigeration, top up to full in southern Spain (Algeciras, Malaga, or earlier) before crossing the Strait. Carry a French/Italian/Spanish adapter set as a backup.
Bottled butane (Afriquia, Total) is sold in Moroccan-fitted bottles you cannot connect without a specific regulator. Most UK motorhomers manage on the gas they bring across.
UK Calor bottles cannot be swapped anywhere outside the UK. Either bring enough bottled gas for the whole trip or fit a refillable system before you leave home. Read our complete guide to motorhome gas and LPG in Europe.
Electric hook-ups
Most Moroccan campsites offer hook-ups, typically 6A to 10A, but voltage and earth quality vary widely. Cheaper coastal sites can sit well below 230V at peak, and reverse polarity is common.
Pack a plug-in socket tester and a crossover cable. Many sites use unfamiliar socket types; a continental adapter set is essential.
Read our complete guide to motorhome electric hook-ups in Europe.
Where to shop
Supermarkets here: budget chains are BIM, Aswak Assalam; mid-range chains are Marjane, Carrefour Market (Label Vie), Acima; premium chains are Carrefour.
Typical opening hours: weekday 09:00-22:00; saturday 09:00-22:00; sunday 09:00-22:00; where to buy Marjane and Carrefour have alcohol sections (separate, often partitioned). Smaller chains often do not stock it.; restrictions ID may be requested. Sales restricted on religious holidays and during Ramadan in many stores. Public consumption outside licensed premises is illegal..
Most supermarkets open seven days. Small shops and souks may close Friday afternoons for prayers and during Ramadan daylight hours.
Locally produced wine (Meknes region) is decent and cheap. Imported beer and spirits are heavily taxed.
- Souks are cash-only and prices are negotiable. A starting offer of 30-50% of the asking price is normal in tourist areas.
- Stock up on fresh produce at souks rather than supermarkets; quality is dramatically better and prices are a fraction.
- Bottled water is cheap (Sidi Ali, Ain Saiss); tap water is not recommended for drinking.
- Carry small denominations (5, 10, 20 MAD notes); change is often scarce.
- Tipping (around 10%) is expected in restaurants and for parking attendants ('gardiens') who watch your motorhome on the street.
More detail in our guides to gas and LPG and electric hook-ups across Europe.
Taking a dog, and crossing the border.
- SchengenNo
- Tapeworm on UK returnYes
- Dog leadRequired
Morocco follows its own SPS rules. Avoid bringing pork products and raw dairy. Small quantities of vacuum-packed beef, chicken, hard cheese, and shop-sealed UHT milk are typically waved through but not guaranteed. Customs can search the habitation if they want; do not give them an easy reason.
Morocco is outside Schengen.
Schengen area: No. Time in Morocco does not count toward your Schengen 90/180 allowance. EES biometric checks: Not applicable. Morocco runs its own entry stamp and D16ter vehicle import process at the port (allow 90+ minutes for clearance). Trailer registration (UK): UK trailers over 750 kg need DVLA registration for international travel. Mobile roaming: NOT included in UK Roam Like at Home plans. Most UK networks bill Morocco at premium rates. Buy a local SIM on arrival (Maroc Telecom IAM, Inwi, or Orange Maroc); tourist data bundles are cheap and widely available at airports, ferry ports, and city centres. Bring an unlocked phone or hotspot.
Useful links
- Gov.uk Morocco Travel Advice: the official Foreign Office page, updated when conditions change.
- Moroccan Customs (Douanes) D16ter info: official temporary vehicle admission rules.
- Autoroutes du Maroc (ADM): toll information and the Jawaz electronic tag.
- Gov.uk Pet Travel from non-EU countries: the UK government's pet re-entry rules.
See also our complete guides to the Schengen 90-day rule and taking a dog to Europe.
The questions people ask most.
Do I need a visa to take my motorhome to Morocco?
UK passport holders enter Morocco visa-free for up to 90 days. Your passport must have at least 6 months validity beyond the entry date and at least one blank page. The vehicle is imported separately under a free D16ter Temporary Admission, valid for up to 6 months in any 12-month period.
Is my UK motor insurance valid in Morocco?
Morocco is outside the EU green-card-waiver area. Many UK insurers do not include Morocco automatically. Either obtain a Green Card extension covering MA before you leave, or buy short-term local cover at the Assurance Frontiere desk at Tanger Med or Tarifa on arrival. Without valid Moroccan motor insurance you cannot legally drive off the port.
How do I get my motorhome to Morocco from the UK?
The standard route is UK to France or Spain by ferry or tunnel, then drive south to Algeciras and take the 1 hour FRS, Balearia, or Africa Morocco Link ferry to Tanger Med. Tarifa to Tanger Ville is a similar option that lands in central Tangier. Sete to Tanger Med is a 30 to 40 hour overnight crossing that skips the Spain leg entirely.
Can I take my dog to Morocco?
Technically yes, but the EU re-entry rules are the hard part. Returning to the EU from Morocco requires a rabies titre (FAVN) blood test from an EU-approved lab, drawn at least 30 days after the most recent rabies booster and processed at least 3 months before EU re-entry, plus a Moroccan AHC. Plan the FAVN test 4 to 6 months before departure. Many UK motorhomers leave the dog at home for Morocco trips.
Can I take a drone to Morocco?
No. Drones are banned from import without prior written authorisation from the Ministry of Interior. Customs at Tanger Med routinely confiscate drones, even unflown and in their case. Leave it at home.