International driving license Morocco: do you need one?

If you are renting a car this year, the international driving license Morocco expects from visitors depends on where your licence was issued, and the safest approach is to carry one. Here is what official advice says and how to avoid problems at the rental desk.

International driving license Morocco: the short answer

For UK visitors, the UK government’s travel advice for Morocco says you need the 1968 version of the International Driving Permit (IDP) together with your UK driving licence, and that Morocco no longer accepts the 1949 version. An IDP cannot be bought outside the UK, so get it before you fly.

Rules can differ for other nationalities, and rental companies set their own requirements. Check your own government’s travel advice and confirm with the rental company before you book. Whatever your nationality, we recommend carrying an international driving license for Morocco alongside your national licence: it removes arguments at the pickup desk.

What to carry when you pick up the car

• Your valid national driving licence
• The International Driving Permit (the 1968 version for UK drivers)
• Your passport and the rental contract
• Your insurance documents, as official advice recommends carrying proof of cover

Rental companies often ask for at least one year of driving experience and a minimum age that is higher for some cars. See our guides to the documents required to rent a car in Morocco and the minimum age to rent a car.

What happens if you arrive without the right documents

The rental company can refuse to hand over the car, and police at checkpoints can ask to see your licence and permit. Our guide to police checkpoints in Morocco explains what to expect. An expired licence cannot be fixed by an IDP, so renew it before you travel.

How to get your IDP before you fly

IDPs are issued by authorised bodies in your home country: in the UK the Post Office handles them, and in the US they are issued by AAA. Apply well before departure rather than at the last minute. The IDP is not a standalone document, so you must carry your original domestic licence with it at all times.

Before you book

Read our complete guide to driving in Morocco and our article on driving in Morocco with a foreign licence, then compare options for an international driving license Morocco rental in our car rental guide for Morocco.