Renting a car in Morocco: what nobody tells you (but you wish they had)

At Louizi, we care deeply about giving you the best possible stay in this beautiful country. Morocco is best discovered behind the wheel, and renting a car here is straightforward, as long as you know a few rules of the road.

Here's what we've learned from helping hundreds of travellers navigate Moroccan roads.

Driving licence

This question comes up with every booking, so let's be clear:

• •French or European licence: valid in Morocco, no international licence needed.
• •Licence from another country: if yours isn't in Latin script, an international driving permit is recommended to avoid confusion during police checks.
• •Minimum age: 21 with us, with at least 2 years' driving experience.

Worth knowing: some rental companies ask for an international permit even from EU citizens. It's not a legal requirement, check before paying any unnecessary supplement.

Insurance: the topic worth five minutes of your time

Probably the single most important point in any rental contract.

At most rental companies, basic insurance is included, but the excess can be steep, sometimes 10,000 to 20,000 dirhams. In practice, even a minor scrape could land you with that bill.

What we do at Louizi: basic insurance (liability, theft, fire) is included in the price. We also offer excess waiver for those who want complete peace of mind. No obligation, no sales pitch, we lay out the options, you decide.

Moroccan roads: what they're really like

Main roads around Essaouira are in very good condition. The N8 to Marrakech is wide, well-maintained, and pleasant to drive. Same goes for the coastal road to Agadir.

What you should know, though:

Roundabouts have their own logic here. Priority exists in theory; in practice, it's more fluid, observe, ease in calmly, and everything flows.

At night, avoid secondary roads. Street lighting ends at the edge of town, and you may encounter pedestrians, unlit bicycles, or even a donkey in the middle of the road.

For city parking, guarded car parks are the best bet: 5-10 dirhams per day, 20-30 per night. Safe, easy, no hassle.

Industry practices worth knowing

As anywhere in the world, the car rental industry has its customs that are good to understand before signing:

• •Fuel: check what level you're given the tank at, and what level they expect it back. With us, it's straightforward: return the vehicle with the same fuel level as at pickup.
• •Add-ons: GPS, second driver, airport fees, they can stack up. Always ask for the all-inclusive price. At Louizi, the second driver and airport delivery are free.
• •Deposit: amounts and methods vary. Some companies block a significant sum on your credit card for the entire rental period. With us, a simple cash deposit (2,000-5,000 MAD depending on the vehicle) is all we need, returned in full at drop-off.

The one habit to always keep

Before driving off, walk around the vehicle. Note every scratch, every small dent, every mark. Take photos. This applies at any rental company, anywhere in the world. With us, we do this inspection together and give you a report signed by both parties.

And above all: if anything seems unclear, a contract term, a clause, a price, ask. We'd far rather spend ten minutes explaining everything than let you leave with a question mark.