Improving Road Safety
in the OIC Member States
130
500 years, a very large proportion of vehicles is not deregistered.
There is currently no procedure in place to change the status of a vehicle in the vehicle database
when a vehicle is exported.
Registration number and number plates
The alphanumeric characters on the number plate consist of three elements. A group of one to
five digits, followed by one or two Arabic letter(s) followed by one to or two numbers. The letter
corresponds with the city were the vehicle was registered.
Currently DTRSR only sets the standards for the dimensions and size of the number plates. Local
entrepreneurs produce the license plates. In practice the quality (and the reliability) of the
licence plate is not sufficient. This leads to difficulties with for instance the ANPR. The use of
false number plates is a serious offence in Morocco, punishable by up to three months’
imprisonment.
Vehicle taxes and fees
Periodical tax
A differentiated tax (also called the ‘vignette’) is obligatory for all motor vehicles. The tax charge
depends on the capacity (in horsepower) of the vehicle. The charges are set by the Ministry of
Finance. The average tax charge for an average passenger vehicle was 750 Dirham. Vehicle
owners can stop paying tax once a motor vehicle is not used on public roads. However, should
the owner wish to drive the vehicle on public roads again, then they must pay all the tax for the
period the vehicle was not used on public roads plus a fine.
Registration fee
A registration fee is charged on the issue of the carte grise (both for the initial carte grise and for
any amendments). This fee depends on the vehicle’s output (in horsepower) and engine type
(diesel, petrol etc.). The fees are set by the region, and the earnings go to the regions. The
registration free applies to all vehicles, with the exception of those belonging to the Corps
Diplomatique.
A supplementary fee, called the ‘taxe parafiscale’, is charged on the issue of a carte grise for a
commercial vehicle or lorry. This fee depends on the vehicle’s weight, and ranges from 270
Dirham for vehicles weighing up to 3,500 kg to 2,550 Dirham for those weighing more than
11,000 kg.
Insurance
A sticker on the front window indicates that the vehicle is insured. Drivers must have the
insurance document with them when driving the vehicle, so that they can present it to the
authorities on request. When applying for a carte grise, owners or holders do not have to provide
proof of insurance. The central motor vehicle register does not record insurance details.