Summer road trip in Morocco: the pre-trip car check

Papers to carry

If you are stopped and cannot show your driving licence, your carte grise (or proof of ownership), your proof of Visite technique or your insurance certificate, the police must immobilise your car. Keep all four in the car, and check the dates on the last two before you leave.

Tyres, including the spare

Start with the tyres:

• Tread: the law requires more than 1.6 mm of tread on the main grooves at every point, with no canvas showing. Worn tyres are grounds for immobilising the car at a roadside check.
• Pressure: NARSA advises setting the pressure for the load, using the manufacturer's figures, and warns that summer heat raises tyre and brake temperatures.
• Matching: tyres of different sizes or structures must not be fitted on the same axle.
• Spare wheel: a private car must have one, unless it has a tyre-inflation kit and no room for a spare, or runs on run-flat tyres. Check its pressure too.

The rest of the car

A garage can check the rest in one visit:

• engine oil, coolant and brake fluid levels, and any leaks;
• brakes, front and rear;
• headlights, brake lights and indicators;
• the battery;
• wipers and washer fluid;
• air conditioning: NARSA points out that an overheated cabin adds to driver fatigue.

In the car: equipment and passengers

Under a 2026 decree, if your car breaks down and you can't clear the road at once, you must switch on your hazard lights and place a warning device at least 50 metres behind the car, facing oncoming traffic. NARSA also recommends carrying a warning triangle, a reflective vest and a fire extinguisher.

Outside towns, everyone in the car, front and rear, must wear a seat belt. Children under 10 must not sit in the front. NARSA recommends an approved child seat suited to the child's age and weight, preferably fitted on the back seat.

On the road: speed, breaks and heat

Speed limits for cars:

NARSA recommends a break of about 15 minutes at least every two hours, sharing the driving on long trips, and avoiding night driving if you get sleepy easily.

Crossing to or from Europe

Opération Marhaba welcomes Moroccans living abroad every summer. The Fondation Mohammed V pour la Solidarité takes part in running it, alongside the other national bodies involved; the 2026 edition began on 10 June, with reception spaces at ports, airports, rest areas and border posts in Morocco and in six European ports. During the operation (10 June to 15 September in 2026), its call centre is open 24/7: 080000 23 23 free from Morocco, or +212 537 20 5566 from abroad.

Driving through Spain and France means following their rules too. For insurance abroad, ask your insurer for a carte verte: see our car insurance guide.

Book a garage before you leave

Book the check a week or two before you go, so there's time to order a part if something needs replacing.

How GarageLink helps

Book a pre-trip check with a garage on your way out of town, straight from GarageLink. Your request arrives with your car's make, model and mileage, and the work is logged in your service book. Before you go, check that your Vignette and Visite technique are up to date.