How is the vignette calculated in Morocco?
The annual special tax on vehicles, which everyone calls the vignette, depends neither on the value of the vehicle nor on its age. It rests on two criteria only: taxable horsepower expressed in CV, and the type of fuel.
The rate scale rises in steps, and the steps are steep: moving from one band to the next can multiply the amount by four. For a light commercial vehicle, it is the gross laden weight that sets the rate.
| Taxable horsepower | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| Under 8 CV | MAD 350 | MAD 700 |
| 8 to 10 CV | MAD 650 | MAD 1,500 |
| 11 to 14 CV | MAD 3,000 | MAD 6,000 |
| 15 CV and above | MAD 8,000 | MAD 20,000 |
| Electric or hydrogen | Exempt | Exempt |
Sources: Finance Act 2026, General Tax Directorate. Details on the methodology page.
Example: a 9 CV diesel pays MAD 1,500 if it is settled in January. The same vehicle paid in March carries a surcharge and exceeds MAD 1,700 - without counting the risk of a fine if it is checked.
Diesel against petrol: the gap that weighs on the purchase
At equal taxable horsepower, a diesel always pays more than a petrol vehicle, and the gap widens in the upper bands. For a large vehicle, the annual difference reaches several thousand dirhams.
It is a factor to weigh before buying, particularly if you are importing a vehicle: a powerful diesel SUV, attractive in Europe where taxation rests on other criteria, becomes expensive to own in Morocco. Do the sum over the whole period of ownership, not over the first year.
The deadline and the surcharge
The vignette is paid at the start of the year, before the deadline of 31 January. After that date, a surcharge applies to the amount due.
Payment is made online on the DGI portal, at bank branches, at Barid Al-Maghrib offices or at tax collection offices. Since the move to digital there is no longer a physical vignette to stick on the windscreen: checks are made by consulting the system, which makes an oversight all the easier to detect.
Imported vehicle, first year
A vehicle cleared through customs during the year becomes liable to the tax. Depending on the date it is first put on the road in Morocco, a pro-rata amount may apply for the first year.
A practical point for Moroccans living abroad: the vignette is part of the import budget in the same way as customs duty, and it comes round every year afterwards. A vehicle cleared cheaply under the permanent return scheme can still be expensive to own if its taxable horsepower is high – work the figure out over five years before deciding which vehicle to bring back.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find the taxable horsepower of my vehicle?
On the vehicle registration certificate, at field P.6. Take care not to confuse it with the actual power in kilowatts or DIN horsepower, which appears at another field and gives a very different figure.
What happens if you do not pay?
The late-payment surcharge applies automatically, and non-payment is recorded during roadside checks and during any administrative procedure involving the vehicle - roadworthiness test, transfer of the registration certificate. Arrears build up from one year to the next.
Are electric vehicles exempt?
Electric and hydrogen vehicles benefit from an exemption, as part of the measures encouraging low-carbon mobility. Hybrids remain taxed, generally on the petrol rate scale.
How do I pay from abroad?
The DGI portal accepts online payment by bank card, including from abroad. Have the registration number and the number of the registration certificate to hand. It is the simplest solution if your vehicle stays in Morocco while you are away.
Last updated: January 2026 · Indicative estimate - check with the relevant administration.