Licence and IDP rules
Motorcycle licence and IDP rules for riding in Morocco (2026)
Carry your licence, with a motorcycle category, plus a 1968 International Driving Permit. GOV.UK says Morocco no longer accepts the 1949 permit, which matters for riders from the US, Canada and Australia.
Checked against official sources on 2026-11-05.
Check what you need for Morocco
Three answers and you get a plain verdict. Rules checked against official sources; links below.
This is general information from official sources, not legal advice. Rules change; check with the embassy if your trip depends on it.
The rules in Morocco
- International Driving Permit
- GOV.UK says you need the 1968 IDP and your licence, and that Morocco no longer accepts the 1949 version. Morocco's highway code (Law 52-05) lets foreign drivers use a valid foreign licence for a maximum of one year.
- Motorcycle category
- Your licence must include the motorcycle category for the bike you ride. An IDP never adds a category.
- Local licence
- GOV.UK: if you stay longer than one year, you need a Moroccan licence.
- Helmets
- Compulsory for rider and passenger.
- Insurance
- Travel insurers commonly refuse claims if you crash without a valid licence for the bike you were riding. New Zealand's government warns that without a motorcycle licence your travel insurance may be void. Read your policy before you ride.
What you need, by where your licence is from
Assumes your licence includes the motorcycle category. Without it, no IDP makes riding legal.
| Riders from | What you need in Morocco |
|---|---|
| United States | Check first: an IDP from the United States (1949) may not be accepted in Morocco. GOV.UK says Morocco no longer accepts the 1949 permit. Morocco is still party to the 1949 convention, and its highway code as published lets foreign drivers use a valid foreign licence for up to a year. With official sources pulling in different directions, ask the Moroccan embassy before you go, and ask your tour operator what documents their riders bring. In the United States permits are issued by AAA and AATA. |
| United Kingdom | Yes: carry your licence plus a 1968 IDP. Carry your licence from the United Kingdom together with a 1968 International Driving Permit. In the United Kingdom permits are issued by PayPoint shops (for the DVLA). |
| Australia | Check first: an IDP from Australia (1949) may not be accepted in Morocco. GOV.UK says Morocco no longer accepts the 1949 permit. Morocco is still party to the 1949 convention, and its highway code as published lets foreign drivers use a valid foreign licence for up to a year. With official sources pulling in different directions, ask the Moroccan embassy before you go, and ask your tour operator what documents their riders bring. In Australia permits are issued by the Australian Automobile Association, through state motoring clubs such as NRMA, RACV and AANT. |
| Canada | Check first: an IDP from Canada (1949) may not be accepted in Morocco. GOV.UK says Morocco no longer accepts the 1949 permit. Morocco is still party to the 1949 convention, and its highway code as published lets foreign drivers use a valid foreign licence for up to a year. With official sources pulling in different directions, ask the Moroccan embassy before you go, and ask your tour operator what documents their riders bring. In Canada permits are issued by CAA. |
| Germany | Yes: carry your licence plus a 1968 IDP. Carry your licence from Germany together with a 1968 International Driving Permit. In Germany permits are issued by your local Fahrerlaubnisbehörde (driving licence office). |
| Ireland | Check first: an IDP from Ireland (1949) may not be accepted in Morocco. GOV.UK says Morocco no longer accepts the 1949 permit. Morocco is still party to the 1949 convention, and its highway code as published lets foreign drivers use a valid foreign licence for up to a year. With official sources pulling in different directions, ask the Moroccan embassy before you go, and ask your tour operator what documents their riders bring. In Ireland permits are issued by the Road Safety Authority, through NDLS centres. |
| New Zealand | Check first: an IDP from New Zealand (1949) may not be accepted in Morocco. GOV.UK says Morocco no longer accepts the 1949 permit. Morocco is still party to the 1949 convention, and its highway code as published lets foreign drivers use a valid foreign licence for up to a year. With official sources pulling in different directions, ask the Moroccan embassy before you go, and ask your tour operator what documents their riders bring. In New Zealand permits are issued by AA New Zealand. |
| France | Yes: carry your licence plus a 1968 IDP. Carry your licence from France together with a 1968 International Driving Permit. In France permits are issued by ANTS (France Titres), online. |
| Netherlands | Yes: carry your licence plus a 1968 IDP. Carry your licence from the Netherlands together with a 1968 International Driving Permit. In the Netherlands permits are issued by ANWB. |
| Switzerland | Yes: carry your licence plus a 1968 IDP. Carry your licence from Switzerland together with a 1968 International Driving Permit. In Switzerland permits are issued by your cantonal road traffic office (or TCS/ACS in some cantons). |
| India | Check first: an IDP from India (1949) may not be accepted in Morocco. GOV.UK says Morocco no longer accepts the 1949 permit. Morocco is still party to the 1949 convention, and its highway code as published lets foreign drivers use a valid foreign licence for up to a year. With official sources pulling in different directions, ask the Moroccan embassy before you go, and ask your tour operator what documents their riders bring. In India permits are issued by your Regional Transport Office (RTO). |
| Singapore | Check first: an IDP from Singapore (1949) may not be accepted in Morocco. GOV.UK says Morocco no longer accepts the 1949 permit. Morocco is still party to the 1949 convention, and its highway code as published lets foreign drivers use a valid foreign licence for up to a year. With official sources pulling in different directions, ask the Moroccan embassy before you go, and ask your tour operator what documents their riders bring. In Singapore permits are issued by AA Singapore. |
| South Africa | Yes: carry your licence plus a 1968 IDP. Carry your licence from South Africa together with a 1968 International Driving Permit. In South Africa permits are issued by AA South Africa. |
| Israel | Yes: carry your licence plus a 1968 IDP. Carry your licence from Israel together with a 1968 International Driving Permit. In Israel permits are issued by the Ministry of Transport. |
| Brazil | Yes: carry your licence plus a 1968 IDP. Carry your licence from Brazil together with a 1968 International Driving Permit. In Brazil permits are issued by your state Detran or the Automóvel Clube Brasileiro. |
No motorcycle licence?
An IDP never adds a motorcycle category, so without one you can't legally ride in Morocco. You can ride pillion behind a licensed local rider, or join a guided tour where a staff rider carries you, if the operator offers that. A guided tour does not make it legal to ride yourself without a licence.
Questions riders ask
- Do I need an IDP to ride a motorbike in Morocco?
- GOV.UK says yes: the 1968 version, with your home licence. Riders from Germany, France, the UK and other 1968 countries can get one at home.
- Is a US or Australian IDP valid in Morocco?
- Unclear. Those are 1949 permits, and GOV.UK says Morocco no longer accepts the 1949 version, although Morocco remains party to that convention. Check with the Moroccan embassy before you travel.
Sources
Checked on 2026-11-05.
- GOV.UK foreign travel advice: Morocco, safety and security
- GOV.UK: International Driving Permits, which one you need by country
- Maroc TL: driving in Morocco with a foreign licence (Law 52-05, article 2)
- SafeTravel (New Zealand Government): driving overseas
- UN Treaty Collection: 1949 Convention on Road Traffic, status
- UN Treaty Collection: 1968 Convention on Road Traffic, status
This page is general information drawn from the sources above, not legal advice. Rules change; if your trip depends on it, check with the embassy of the country you're visiting.
Tours in Morocco
See every motorcycle tour listed in Morocco. If you're unsure what you'll need on a particular trip, ask the operator about licence requirements through the enquiry form on the tour page before you book.
Motorcycle tours in Morocco