Morocco on a UK Licence 2026: Only the 1968 IDP Counts
United Kingdom
Morocco
Carry your UK licence plus a 1968 IDP bought in the UK; Morocco no longer accepts the 1949 IDP. Any alcohol in a test means a fine. Under 20 km/h over the limit: MAD 300.
The 1949 IDP many British drivers keep in the glovebox is no longer accepted in Morocco; only the 1968 version, bought before leaving the UK, works.
The paperwork is where British drivers go wrong in Morocco. The UK government’s travel advice says you must have both your UK licence and the 1968 International Driving Permit in the car. The 1949 IDP is no longer accepted, and an IDP cannot be bought once you have left the UK, so sort it at a UK outlet before flying. Your UK licence covers you for up to a year; after that you need a Moroccan one. You also need a green card from your insurer, and the authorities record your registration on arrival: try to leave in a different vehicle and you will be stopped.
From the left to the right
Morocco drives on the right, so roundabouts and junctions reverse. Night driving is harder than at home because of poor lighting, with pedestrians and animals on the road, and mountain and secondary routes turn hazardous in bad weather. On motorways, watch for overloaded lorries.
Limits and fines
Towns are 60 km/h, with 40 or 20 zones; national roads are generally 80 km/h, some sections 100; motorways 120 km/h. NARSA, the national road safety agency, sets the speeding fines:
- under 20 km/h over: MAD 300
- 20 to under 30 km/h over: MAD 500 and 2 points
- 30 to under 50 km/h over: MAD 700 and 4 points
- 50 km/h over or more: a criminal offence
No alcohol at all
The limit reported to the WHO is 0.02 g/dl, and GOV.UK warns that any alcohol in a test brings a fine and possible prison. Driving drunk is a criminal offence: NARSA lists up to MAD 10,000, six months to a year in prison, and loss of the licence.
After a crash, fill in a constat amiable with the other driver. Emergency numbers: police 190, ambulance and fire 150, gendarmerie 177 outside cities. See the Morocco driving guide and the Driving Permit Checker.
Sources
- GOV.UK, Morocco travel advice, safety and security (1968 IDP, 1949 refused, one-year limit, green card, alcohol): gov.uk
- NARSA, excessive speed (limits and fine bands): narsa-securiteroutiere.ma
- NARSA, alcohol and driving (MAD 10,000, prison, licence withdrawal): narsa-securiteroutiere.ma
- WHO Global status report on road safety 2023, Morocco profile (BAC 0.02 g/dl): who.int
- GOV.UK, Morocco, getting help (190, 150, 177): gov.uk
Speed limits, fines, equipment & license requirements
Your home country driving rules for reference
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but not on its own. The UK government says you need both your UK licence and the 1968 International Driving Permit in the car. Morocco no longer accepts the 1949 IDP, and IDPs cannot be bought outside the UK. Stay longer than a year and you need a Moroccan licence.
The UK government warns that any alcohol found in a test brings a fine and possible imprisonment; the limit reported to the WHO is 0.02 g/dl. Morocco's road safety agency NARSA lists up to MAD 10,000, six months to a year in prison and loss of the licence for driving drunk.
NARSA sets four bands: under 20 km/h over costs MAD 300; 20 to under 30 km/h, MAD 500 and 2 points; 30 to under 50 km/h, MAD 700 and 4 points. From 50 km/h over it is a criminal offence.