Renting a car in Morocco is not a thing to worry about when you get to the country. You could find international companies that offer this service at almost every airport. Yet, if you want to save up to %50, I advise you to look for local rental companies because these international companies are pretty expensive.
Now, you may begin to think about how you could find local rental companies. Well, I think the first thing to do is to search on the internet for local rental companies. Most companies don’t have a website, yet you may find their telephone number to contact them.
And, if they do have a website, then renting a car will be much easier. I think, also, it is important to mention that most company representatives don’t speak good English, but French. Still, you can make a deal and save some money.
Despite this, it may cost more than what you going to pay to rent a car if you didn’t follow and/or respect what I am going to share with you below :
- Make sure to inform the responsible person about the places you are going to so that you don’t get surprised when he asks you to add extra money after you give the car back. Some companies, usually, add an extra 100 MAD per day if you are taking the car out of the city from where you rent it.
- Keep in mind that some companies may put a temporary lock on a certain amount of your balance –up to 500,000 MAD- in case anything happens to the car. Another option is to hold your passport until the car is returned.
- Try to leave the same amount of fuel it had the first time when you give it back.
- Make sure what type of fuel is used, as most cars take diesel.
- Check whether the vehicle is good enough before signing the lease contract.
- Avoid leaving the main road since insurance contracts do not cover costs if you had an accident on rural roads for example.
- Keep in mind that most cars in Morocco have manual transmissions.
- Ask for a blank copy of accident statement sheet – Constat à l’amiable in French- in advance.
- Make sure the company gives you insurance for the total number of people who are with you so that you do not find any problem if you get pulled over.
- If you found a police checkpoint, do not panic. Just relax and smile as they usually let foreigners just drive through, asking sometimes where you are going to.
- If you find a sign saying that there is a speed radar in use for the next 60KM, make sure to respect the speed limit so that you do not get pulled over for a ticket. Usually about 150 MAD for speeding up to 14 KM over the limit.
- Respect Moroccan speed limit: the maximum is 60 KM in urban areas and 120 KM on the motorway.
- To drive, you must have at least 18 years in Morocco.
- If you are staying for more than one year, you must get a Moroccan driving licence because you can drive using your national driver’s licence for only one year.
- Be alert while driving because traffic regulations are not always strictly observed.
- Keep in mind that is forbidden to drive while you are under the influence of alcohol.
