Documents Needed to Rent a Car in Morocco

Requirements vary from one rental company to another, so always read the conditions of the company you book with. At NZN Car Rental, the main renter and any additional driver must present the following documents when the vehicle is handed over:

Your licence must be valid for the whole rental period, and at NZN it must have been held for more than one year. Bring the physical card: a photo or a scan on your phone is not a substitute at the handover or at a roadside check.

Many visitors drive in Morocco on their national licence. Whether you also need an International Driving Permit depends on where your licence was issued and on current rules, so check with your licensing authority or your country's travel advice before you leave. An IDP is generally a sensible extra if your licence is not written in Latin or Arabic script, and it is always used together with your original licence, never instead of it.

If your licence is close to expiry, suspended, or you have only had it for a few months, contact the rental company before booking rather than finding out at the handover.

You also need a valid identity document. NZN accepts a valid ID card or passport. Moroccan residents usually present their national identity card (CNIE), while foreign visitors normally show their passport.

The name on your ID must match the name on your driving licence and on the booking. If you have changed your name, or if your documents use different spellings, mention it when you book so there is no confusion on the day.

Age requirements in Morocco depend on the company and on the type of car. At NZN, the minimum age is 21 for categories A and B, which cover economy vehicles, and 25 for categories C, D, E and M, which cover SUVs and comfort or premium vehicles.

If you are between 21 and 24, choose your car within categories A and B when you book. The age rule applies to every person who will drive, not only to the main renter.

Sharing the wheel makes long Moroccan road trips much easier, but every driver has to be declared. All drivers must be listed on the rental contract at pickup and must meet the same requirements as the main renter: licence held for more than one year, valid ID card or passport and the minimum age for the category.

At NZN, an additional driver costs 200 MAD per rental period, not per day. Letting someone who is not on the contract drive the car breaches the rental conditions and can leave you exposed if anything happens.

Many rental companies block a large security deposit on a credit card. NZN does not: no rental or security deposit is required or collected, and you do not need a bank card for a deposit.

Payment works as follows: a mandatory 10% advance toward the rental price is paid before delivery, and the remaining 90% is paid on delivery, by cash or card. The 10% advance is part of the rental price, not a deposit.

No deposit does not mean no responsibility. Under the rental agreement, the renter remains responsible for damage, fuel, fines, late return and other breaches, and for traffic offences committed during the rental.

NZN vehicles are covered by comprehensive insurance, including theft, fire, glass breakage, civil liability and personal accident cover for passengers. For other damage, a capped, non-redeemable deductible remains the renter's responsibility when they are partly or fully at fault. Personal belongings are not covered by the vehicle insurance.

During the trip, keep these documents in the car and easy to reach, as police and gendarmerie checkpoints are common in Morocco:

In case of an accident, contact the rental company immediately and obtain either an amicable accident report (constat amiable) or a police or gendarmerie report. In case of theft, a declaration must be made to the police or gendarmerie and the vehicle keys must be returned. Under NZN's terms, without these documents the customer pays the full cost of the damage, so do not skip this step even for a minor incident.

With NZN, cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the scheduled pickup time. For a cancellation less than 24 hours before pickup or a no-show, fees of up to one rental day may be retained. Cancellation requests are sent in writing to reservations@nzncarrental.com with the booking number.

At the handover, which can take place in town or at the airport in Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier, Fez or Rabat by prior arrangement on WhatsApp, have your documents ready, check the car with the agent, note any existing marks, look at the fuel level and make sure the spare tyre is there. A few minutes spent on this saves discussion at the end of the rental.