A driving licence issued abroad can be exchanged for a Moroccan licence at NARSA, provided that a reciprocity agreement links Morocco to the issuing country. The main countries where the diaspora lives are covered.
Timing matters: the exchange must take place within a limited window after you establish your residence in Morocco. Once that time limit has passed, the exchange may be refused and you then have to sit the test again.
Documents required
- Original driving licenceIt is kept by the authorities when the exchange is made
- Sworn translation of the licenceIf the document is in neither Arabic nor French
- CNIE or residence permitShowing that you live in Morocco
- Certificate of residenceRecent
- Medical certificate of fitnessDrawn up by an approved doctor
- Identity photographsRegulation format
- Revenue stampAbout MAD 200
The procedure, step by step
- Check that there is reciprocity
Without an agreement with the issuing country, the exchange is impossible and the Moroccan test is unavoidable.
- Have the licence translated
By a sworn translator if necessary.
- Have the medical examination
With an approved doctor; the certificate is valid for a short time.
- Submit the file to NARSA
The original foreign licence is handed over at that point.
- Collect the Moroccan licence
On production of the acknowledgement of receipt, which serves as proof in the meantime.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Exceeding the exchange time limit after settling in Morocco: the right to exchange is lost and the test becomes compulsory again.
- Not anticipating that the original is handed over - you will no longer be able to drive abroad on that licence.
- Turning up with an informal translation instead of a sworn one.
- Believing that an international driving permit will do in the long run: it is valid only temporarily and cannot be exchanged.
Frequently asked questions
Which countries are covered by the exchange?
Those linked to Morocco by a reciprocity agreement, which covers the main countries in Europe where the diaspora lives. Check your own country with NARSA before putting the file together.
Can I drive while the procedure is under way?
The acknowledgement of receipt issued when you submit the file generally allows you to drive in Morocco in the meantime. Keep it in the vehicle at all times.
Do I get my original licence back?
No. It is kept and most often returned to the authorities of the issuing country. That is worth weighing up if you keep ties with that country.
Last updated: January 2026 · Indicative estimate - check with the relevant administration.