Licence, driving rules, summer rental tips, sights and the Oujda – Saïdia – Berkane road trip: the practical guide to your stay by car.

Practical guide: driving, renting and sightseeing in Oujda and the Oriental region

Arriving from France, Belgium or elsewhere with a car rental in Oujda booked? This guide brings together everything you need to know before and during your stay: licence and documents, driving rules in Morocco, our summer tips, then the sights to visit in town and the road trip to Saïdia and Berkane. Contents: Licence and documents • Driving rules • Renting in summer • What to see in Oujda • Oujda – Saïdia – Berkane road trip • Which car to choose

Licence and documents: what you need

Foreign drivers on a temporary stay may drive in Morocco with their valid national licence for a maximum of one year from their date of entry. Beyond that, or if you settle permanently in Morocco, you must exchange it for a Moroccan licence.
  • Driving licence valid for at least one year, as stated in our terms and conditions.
  • Valid identity card or passport.
  • During the rental, the contract and vehicle papers handed over by the agency, to be kept in the glovebox: they are requested at roadside checks.
No credit card? That is not a problem: car rental without a credit card can be paid in cash or by bank transfer.

Driving rules in Morocco

  • 60 km/h in built-up areas, sometimes 40 km/h near schools and in certain zones.
  • 100 km/h on roads outside built-up areas.
  • 120 km/h on motorways.
Speed checks are frequent, especially at town entrances and exits, and end-of-limit signs are not always present: if in doubt, slow down. Tolerance for drink-driving is close to zero, including for drivers with a European licence: do not drink before driving. Wearing a seat belt is compulsory and using a hand-held phone while driving is punished. At a roadside check, calmly show your papers and, if you are fined, ask for an official receipt. In the event of an accident, notify Cariva immediately on WhatsApp: an accident report (constat amiable) or a report from the authorities must be sent to us within 24 hours. Emergency numbers: 19 (police), 177 (gendarmerie, outside towns), 15 (emergency services).

Renting a car in summer: our high-season tips

Demand peaks in July and August: book as early as possible to keep your choice of model, especially the only automatic in the fleet, the Stepway Intense Black. In high season only, an advance payment is requested to confirm the booking; its amount is given to you before validation, and the balance is paid no later than the signing of the contract. In the general case, no deposit is required; one may be requested for certain profiles (age, licence seniority). That is the principle of our no-deposit car rental. As with any all-risk insurance in Morocco, an excess applies: it varies according to the vehicle model and age (12,000 MAD maximum) and is stated on your quote and then on your contract. Is your flight late or delayed? Car rental at Oujda airport runs 24/7: give your flight number and the key handover adapts to your actual landing time.
  • In the heat, drive in the morning and late in the day where possible, and always keep water in the car.
  • Never leave anyone, or any animal, in a parked car in the sun.
  • Fill up before mountain roads, where petrol stations are fewer.

What to see in Oujda

The most iconic entrance to the medina is Bab Sidi Abdelouahab, a monumental gate on the west side of the old town. Beyond it, the alleys and souks lead to the Great Mosque and the Marinid madrasa, built in the 14th century. Park outside the medina and continue on foot: the alleys are narrow. A few hundred metres away, the Dar Sebti palace, built in 1938, houses a centre dedicated to Gharnati music; opposite, Lalla Meryem park offers a green space. Lalla Aïcha park, one of the city’s largest green spaces, is ideal for a shaded walk at the end of the day. Finally, a few kilometres from the centre, the Sidi Yahya oasis is a calm, shady spot just minutes away by car. In summer, visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Road trip by car: Oujda – Saïdia – Berkane

This route fits into one full day, or two days if you want to enjoy each stop.
  • Saïdia (about 60 km): the “Blue Pearl” is 45 minutes to an hour away. Long sandy beach, the Marina and, nearby, the Moulouya estuary, a favourite stopover for migratory birds.
  • Ras El Ma (Cap de l’Eau): heading west along the coast, a fishing village with a long beach and cliffs, ideal for lunch by the sea.
  • Berkane and the Zegzel gorges: the road climbing towards Tafoughalt follows the Zegzel river through gorges and a green valley, one of the most beautiful drives in the region.
  • Tafoughalt and its caves: about twenty kilometres from Berkane, in the Beni Snassen mountains, the Camel Cave has been a listed national heritage site since 1953; close by, the Pigeons Cave is a major prehistoric site. Return to Oujda via Berkane or Ahfir.

Which car to choose for your stay?

On mountain roads, the raised driving position of the Stepway II Black is a real comfort. For a family with luggage or beach gear, the Logan Silver and its 528-litre boot does the job. For a coastal stay, see our car rental offer for Saïdia. Cariva, a car rental agency in Oujda, hands over your vehicle at the airport, the train station or your hotel, 24/7. Choose your model from our air-conditioned vehicles, find out about the no security deposit option depending on your profile, and contact our team to book.