Renting a Car in Morocco: What You Need to Know in 2024

Thinking of renting a car in Morocco? If so then you are in for a real treat since Morocco is a great place to rent a car.

TBH, I was a bit nervous and unsure of how to rent a car in Morocco the first time I visited the country.

However, once I moved to Morocco in January of 2023 and saw how easy it was to drive through the countryside, I knew I wanted to do a road trip through Morocco.

Since then I have road-tripped from Agadir to Essaouira and from Marrakech to Fes, with a stop in Merzouga to see the Sahara desert.

Both trips were amazing and I don’t think I would of had the same experience had I NOT rented a car in Morocco.

Now, if you’re nervous about the car rental process, you’re not alone. I was too. I didn’t know what to expect or how it worked or what the road conditions/signage was like in Morocco.

However, now that I have rented a car a couple of times, I want to give you my expert advice on everything from car rental insurance to driving at night to the prices of a rental car.

So, let’s swan dive into this local guide and look at everything you need to know about renting a car and driving in Morocco.

Local Tip: It’s also worth noting that in Morocco we drive on the right side of the road (like in the USA). Therefore, the steering wheel will be on the left side of your rental car.

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Bottom Line: Should You Rent a Car in Morocco?

Whether or not you should rent a car in Morocco really depends on the type of trip you’re doing. If it’s your first time in Morocco and you just want to spend four days in Marrakech then no, do not rent a car.

However, if you want to road trip along the coast, from Agadir to Essaouira, or want to take your time traveling from Marrakech to Fes – making a ton of beautiful stops along the way – then renting a car in Morocco and doing a road trip through Morocco is a great idea.

I usually rent a car in Marrakech, on my wait out of the city at the airport, and then start my road trip from there.

Essentially, research your route and see if there are any scenic stops along the way. Like, there are no cool stops when traveling from Marrakech to Essaouira so I would just take the bus from Marrakech to Essaouira.

But, if you’re driving along a super scenic route and there are a lot of things you want to see along the way then renting a car is a good idea. I mean I rent cars in Essaouira all the time and have no issues.

Overall, if you are just staying in major cities then don’t bother renting a car. It is 100% not worth it since parking and driving in Moroccan cities is a nightmare.

Additionally, renting a car in Morocco takes lots of time and money. So, if you want to save money and see a lot of beautiful places in Morocco in a short amount of time then renting a car is not the way to go.

Instead, I would opt for a group tour. I did one from Marrakech to Fes and it was way cheaper/easier than renting a car on my own.

In general, it just depends on you and how much time and money you have available to you. It also depends on how much flexibility you want in your schedule.

Obviously, you can be way more flexible if you rent a car as opposed to doing a group tour from Fes to Marrakech.

It’s also worth noting that Morocco has a great public transportation network. So, it is safe and easy to take the bus, or train, between most major destinations. For example, you can absolutely take the bus from Marrakech to Merzouga.

However, you won’t be able to see a lot of the cool stops along the way. So, just consider all your options and make the best decision for you before planning your next road trip in Morocco.

Local Tip: If you decide to rent a car in Morocco then you probably want to know about the best place to rent a car in Morocco. Well, when I rent a car in Morocco I always use Discover Cars.

• They have a kick-ass, super inexpensive Full Coverage policy
• They scour the internet for the best deals possible from local and international companies.
• You can cancel your rental car up to 48 hours before you pick it up.

But, let’s learn more and see if renting a car with Discover Cars is right for you.

Renting a Car in Morocco with Discover Cars

Like I mentioned earlier, I have been living in Morocco since January of 2023. I travel throughout the country frequently, have done many road trips, and like to rent a car to give me more flexibility.

When I rent a car 🚙 in Morocco I ALWAYS use Discover Cars since they are reliable and have the best rates.

Every time I use the Discover Cars website I find great deals and can cancel my rental up to two days before my scheduled pick-up.

So, let me share my personal experience using Discover Cars and show you exactly how I rent a car in Morocco.

How to Reserve a Car Online with Discover Cars

First things first, go to the Discover Cars website. Enter your specific travel dates along with your preferred pick-up location, which for most people will be the airport in the city you’re visiting.

Yes, you can pick up your car from the center of the city. But, I like to avoid driving in congested Moroccan cities whenever possible.

⚠️ ONLY RENT FROM HIGHLY-RATED PLACES. I usually filter ratings (this option is on the left-side of your screen) and only rent from places with 7.5 stars or more.

Yes, some low-rated companies can be cheaper. But, cheaper does not always mean better.

In fact, I’d rather pay a little more and get much better customer service than save a few dollars and have a miserable vacation with a crappy car.

Additionally, these lower-rated companies usually end up costing more since they have sneaky hidden fees and extra costs that add up fast.

Local Tip: When making a reservation with Discover Cars, ALWAYS switch the website to the flag of the country that issued your driver’s license. If you do not do this then the price you paid maybe invalidated.

Always Get Full Coverage with Discover Cars

I always get Full Coverage when renting with Discover Cars since they offer SUPER competitive rates.

In fact, according to the Discover Cars website, 85% of customers opt for a Full Coverage Policy to enjoy peace of mind when renting a car in Morocco.

And I get it. For just $8.00- $10.00 per day, Discover Cars will reimburse you for up to 90,000 Dirhams (around $9,000 USD) worth of damages if you get into an accident.

This includes body repairs, dents, scratches, window cracks, tires, towing, lost keys, etc.

So, with Full Coverage, you won’t have to worry about a rogue pothole or accidentally backing into a tree since this damage is all covered with their comprehensive policy.

Therefore, if you want a stress-free vacation then this policy is the way to go.

What is and is NOT Covered with Discover Cars?

Before you rent a car with Discover Cars, please do your research and know exactly what is and is not covered by their Full Coverage Policy.

Their policy is great but it does not cover everything. There are some exclusions and you should look at those BEFORE you book your rental car.

It’s also worth noting that LEGALLY, car rental companies have to accept the Discover Cars Full Coverage Policy.

Personally, I have visited several local companies and they all accepted the Discover Cars policy without issue.

It’s just one of the many reasons why it’s worth it to rent from a good company with a great reputation and awesome customer service.

PLEASE NOTE: Almost every time I have rented a car with Discover Cars, the local company will try and sell me their insurance when I go to pick up my car.

I always decline since I have policy with Discover Cars that LEGALLY meets all of Morocco’s car rental insurance requirements.

FYI, when you decline to use the company’s insurance, they will put a hold of around 10,000 Dirhams ($1,000 USD) on your credit card (another time we paid $800.00 or 8,000 Dirhams)

When you return the rental car back with no damage, they will give you your deposit back. However, if there is damage then they will take the total cost out of your deposit.

If this happens, you will have to file a claim with Discover Cars and it should get processed in 48 hours MAX.

Basically, as long as the damage is less then 90,000 Dirhams ($9,000) you should get reimbursed under the terms of their Full Coverage Policy.

How Do I File a Claim with Discover Cars?

Thankfully, filing a claim with Discover Cars is easy. Just log in using the information listed in your confirmation email and file your claim. You should hear back within 48 hours and can enjoy the many benefits of their Full Coverage Policy.

TBH, the Discover Cars Full Coverage Policy is A LOT cheaper than what private car rental companies offer.

Yeah, I have seen car rental companies sell policies for as much as $30.00 per day. In contrast, Discover Cars sell their policy for between $8.00 and $10.00 per day.

However, if you want to get insurance from a private car rental company then you can absolutely do that. Just book your car through Discover Cars and pay for your car insurance when you pick up your car.

DISCLAIMER: PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE BOOKING

The information I am sharing is based on my own experience renting a car in Morocco. I have used Discover Cars several times, in several different cities, and have never had an issue.

However, I cannot guarantee you will have a good experience. My only hope is that you found this information helpful for planning your next trip to Morocco.

Ultimately, if you end up choosing Dsicover Cars, please rent from a well-rated company to ensure the best experience possible. I have always had a good experience but that’s because I only book cars through the best companies.

If you have any more questions or concerns, PLEASE contact Discover Cars directly. Or, read actual customer reviews on TrustPilot since the company has received 4.6 out of 5.0 stars from over 169,000 people.

Is It Safe to Rent a Car in Morocco?

It is VERY safe to rent a car in Morocco. Unless you park your car in a major city, you really won’t have to worry about anyone breaking into it (I would still leave valuables in the trunk just in case)

Roads are always paved, wide open, and pretty easy to navigate. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about getting a flat from large potholes or hitting large animals as they dart across the road if you’re a digital nomad in Morocco.

Signage is also usually in English and Darija/Amazigh (sometimes). Therefore, you should have no problem figuring out where you need to go.

Overall, I felt totally safe driving in Morocco and you will too. Just be sure to wear your seat belt since there are many police checkpoints along Moroccan roads and you will get fined if you don’t wear one.

I also would NEVER drink (any alcohol) and drive since drunk driving laws are very strict in Morocco.

Local Tip: Again, TRY to avoid driving in major cities like Marrakech, Tangier, Casablanca, Agadir, etc. It’s not necessary (public transportation is available) and is just way more trouble than it’s worth since city drivers are insane.

Do You Need to be an Experienced Driver to Drive in Morocco?

We rented a car in Jordan and I find driving in Morocco a lot easier. Generally, driving here is pretty straight-forward since the roads are well-maintained and there isn’t too much traffic outside of major cities.

Personally, I would not drive in cities like Casablanca or Marrakech since the traffic can be insane and drivers can be all over the place.

However, driving in rural areas is a breeze. Just be prepared for lots of honking from local drivers (this means they want you to move) and for people to drive in the middle of the road when there is no on-coming traffic.

I like to stick to my lane at all times but it is fairly common for locals to drive in the middle of the road when it is safe to do so.

The exception to this is driving in Morocco at night. In rural areas there are basically no street lights, making it almost impossible to see what is in the road ahead of you.

Therefore, you could hit rogue potholes, an energetic donkey, kids playing, or a camel chilling by the side of the road.

As a result, I would not drive at night since road conditions make it almost impossible to see random obstacles on the road.

Local Tip: Do NOT try drinking alcohol in Morocco and driving. The country has a ZERO tolerance policy and you will get in trouble even if you have a little alcohol in your system.

What to Know About Renting an Automatic Car in Morocco

Most rental cars in Morocco are manual, not automatic. So, if you want an automatic car you will have to pay more and you will have to book your car well in advance. Yeah, don’t expect to get one at the last minute.

I only drive automatic cars. So, if we don’t book our car far enough in advance then my partner ends up doing all the driving.

It’s also worth noting that English isn’t as widely spoken as you might think. In fact, many locals speak better French than English due to colonization. However, that is rapidly changing with younger generations.

But, don’t be surprised if locals don’t speak English. My partner is Moroccan so this is never a problem for us since he speaks Darija fluently.

How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Car in Morocco?

The price of a car rental in Morocco can vary quite a bit based on when you rent a car and where you rent a car. I have rented cars for as little as $17.00 per day and as much as $40.00 per day for a regular, 4-day Sudan.

In the past, we have rented a Dacia and a Logan. Both were fine but definitely not the best cars in the world.

So, the price really just depends on when you visit. If it’s peak season, expect to pay more and book your rental well in advance.

In general, you can save money by booking your car rental in advance and by renting a car from a bigger city like Marrakech or Casablanca.

I would book my car through Discover Cars since local companies sometimes try and charge you more since you are a foreigner and don’t know how much the rental should cost.

This happened to me when I was alone in Marrakech and my partner yelled at the guy for trying to charge me twice what the rental was worth.

Additionally, remember that gas is measured in liters and costs around $5.50 per gallon or 15 Dirhams ($1.50) per liter. Diesel is usually cheaper and the cheapest gas is found at ZIZ.

You should also always have cash handy since many gas stations do not accept credit cards.

Do You Need an International Driver’s License to Rent a Car in Morocco?

No, you do not need an international driver’s license to rent a car in Morocco. All you need is a driver’s license from your home country and a cradit card.

This way they can put a deposit on your credit card to cover any potential damage. Don’t worry, you’ll get your deposit back once the car is returned without any damage.

If you do damage the car, the company will use the deposit to pay for the damages. However, if you buy a Full Coverage Policy with Discover Cars, then you can file a claim with them and they will reimburse you for the cost of the damage.

Remember, no one should hold your passport until you return the car. This is not normal and DO NOT do this.

I also suggest that you take pictures and videos of the car when you pick it up. This way if they try to charge you for previous damage to the car, you can prove the car had that damage when you picked it up.

Conclusion

Overall, renting a car in Morocco is an amazing experience. It allows you to get off the beaten path and explore some of the best beaches in Morocco.

Just be sure to book your car rental well in advance, especially if you want an automatic vehicle. This way you can have a stress-free trip and enjoy your time in Morocco.

If you’re not sure where to rent a car in Morocco, I recommend renting a car with Discover Cars. I have used them many times and have no complaints.

They have the cheapest rates and then you don’t have to worry about finding a rental at Marrakech Airpot.

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