Motorcycling in Morocco

Moroccan law is a mix of Sharia law and French style civil law which has developed since Moroccan independence in 1956.

Motoring law, unsurprisingly enough is similar to French, as Islam has little to say on cars and motorcycles. However Sharia/Muslim/Arab law has a lot to say on the writing of civil wrongs, and the system is quite alien to western lawyers.

I have recently been to Morocco and driving in Morocco is an experience. Once you have dialled in to the Moroccan driving it makes sense, but be aware;

1.The Police can require immediate production of all driving documents by the side of the road, license, log book and insurance as is common in most jurisdictions. If you cannot provide these documents in a language which the Police can understand, you stand a very good chance of having your bike impounded. Most Moroccans speak good French, the local Arab/Moroccan dialect, but English is not commonly spoken in Morocco.

2. To ride in Morocco you need a full UK bike license, which authorises you to ride in your home country. Therefore if you have a restricted license in the UK, you cannot ride an unrestricted bike in Morocco.

3. There is no visa requirement to enter Morocco for UK nationals, but you will have to fill in a simple entry form when you cross into Morocco, as well as a similar form for your bike.

4. Your bike will be registered on entry into Morocco and you will need to leave with your bike. Morocco customs officers are exacting. If you leave the Kingdom you must have your vehicle entry papers stamped as having exited the country, and if you cross the border and intend to return you have to go through the whole process again. This is to stop vehicle smuggling.

5. Moroccan insurance is tricky. Your UK policy must clearly state (and in French/Moroccan) that you are insured in the Kingdom otherwise you will need to obtain local insurance which can be obtained in Tangier. You will however be over a bit of a financial barrel if you obtain your insurance in Tangier. It is wise to sort this out here in the UK, but expect to spend a lot of time speaking to various call centres. I would not go to Morocco without a green card, and just make sure that you are not covered for just ‘Monaco’.

Make sure that if you are relying on your UK organised cover that you read and check it carefully and a number of insurers will require a specific underwriting in your time in Morocco and most standard policies do not allow being outside of the EU for more than 30 days. You need to check the stuff carefully.

6. The cities and major highways in Morocco have numerous speed traps. When I was last in Morocco, I was genuinely surprised at the Police presence around Agadir.

7. If you are involved in a serious injury causing collision, the police have the power to detain you in custody. If your insurance is a bit hooky, then you are in a whole world of problems.

8. It is worth printing off the Constat Amiable D’accident Automobile, which is used across numerous European and other countries and is available on our website which has vehicle A in English and vehicle Bin French. Whilst I have no direct experience of how this could work in Morocco, it certainly is something which is expected in a number of French speaking nations. Our website has the Constant Amiable on it.

9. As a general tip,you should laminate all of your key documents, or otherwise waterproof them. It is well worth your while scanning all of your original documents and emailing them to an easily accessible email address.

Andrew Dalton

Adventure Bike Rider
Issue 23 July/August 2014

UPDATE: Andrew, Chef and Gavin went to Morocco to celebrate Andrew Dalton’s BIG FIVE 0 birthday in 2018. Read their story here

1. What documentation should I take with me?

The Police can require immediate production of all driving documents by the side of the road, license, log book and insurance as is common in most jurisdictions. If you cannot provide these documents in a language which the Police can understand, you stand a very good chance of having your bike impounded. Most Moroccans speak good French, the local Arab/Moroccan dialect, but English is not commonly spoken in Morocco.

2. Do I need a full motorbike licence to ride in Morocco?

To ride in Morocco you need a full UK bike license, which authorises you to ride in your home country. Therefore if you have a restricted license in the UK, you cannot ride an unrestricted bike in Morocco.

3. Do I need a visa when going to Morocco?

There is no visa requirement to enter Morocco for UK nationals, but you will have to fill in a simple entry form when you cross into Morocco, as well as a similar form for your bike.

4. What motorbike insurance will I need in Morocco?

Moroccan insurance is tricky. Your UK policy must clearly state (and in French/Moroccan) that you are insured in the Kingdom otherwise you will need to obtain local insurance which can be obtained in Tangier. You will however be over a bit of a financial barrel if you obtain your insurance in Tangier. It is wise to sort this out here in the UK, but expect to spend a lot of time speaking to various call centres. I would not go to Morocco without a green card, and just make sure that you are not covered for just 'Monaco'.

Make sure that if you are relying on your UK organised cover that you read and check it carefully and a number of insurers will require a specific underwriting in your time in Morocco and most standard policies do not allow being outside of the EU for more than 30 days. You need to check the stuff carefully.

5. Are there speed cameras in Morocco?

The cities and major highways in Morocco have numerous speed traps. When I was last in Morocco, I was genuinely surprised at the Police presence around Agadir.

6. What if I am involved in a collision?

If you are involved in a serious injury causing collision, the police have the power to detain you in custody. If your insurance is a bit hooky, then you are in a whole world of problems.

7. Where can I get the Constant Amiable?

It is worth printing off the Constat Amiable D'accident Automobile, which is used across numerous European and other countries and is available on our website which has vehicle A in English and vehicle Bin French. Whilst I have no direct experience of how this could work in Morocco, it certainly is something which is expected in a number of French speaking nations. Our website has the Constant Amiable on it.

8. What other tips for motorcycling in Morocco?

As a general tip,you should laminate all of your key documents, or otherwise waterproof them. It is well worth your while scanning all of your original documents and emailing them to an easily accessible email address.

Andrew Dalton

Adventure Bike Rider
Issue 23 July/August 2014