Landing in Casablanca with a big family, a sailing crew, or a work team usually leads to the same question at booking stage:
“Can I legally drive a 9-seater van in Morocco with my normal EU/UK/US car licence?”
In most cases, yes, a standard Category B car licence is enough for a typical 9-seater (driver + 8 passengers) under 3,500 kg. But there are rules about seat count, weight, licence validity, IDP, age and insurance that you should understand, especially if you’re planning motorway runs between Casablanca, Rabat, El Jadida or Marrakech.
This guide explains the legal basics and how MarHire-style rentals in Casablanca usually handle 9-seaters for families, crews and teams in 2025.
Table of Contents
1) Short answer: when a 9-seater is still “just a car”
2) Are EU/UK/US licences valid in Morocco for 9-seaters?
3) Age, experience & typical rental rules in Casablanca
4) Real Casablanca use cases: family, crew, corporate team
5) Documents to carry, IDP, police checks & insurance
6) When MarHire may recommend a driver instead of self-drive
FAQ
1) Short answer: when a 9-seater is still “just a car”
Under Moroccan licence categories, Category B covers:
vehicles up to 3,500 kg GVW,
with a maximum of 9 seats including the driver (so: driver + 8 passengers).
That matches the usual European “car licence” concept: a 9-seater passenger van that’s under 3.5 tonnes is treated as a car-class vehicle, not a heavy minibus.
So if your 9-seater:
has 8 passenger seats + driver,
is a typical rental van (Trafic/Vivaro/Transporter type) under 3.5 t,
and you’re using it for private, non-commercial transport,
then in terms of vehicle category, it normally fits the licence you already hold (EU/UK/US Category B or equivalent).
The real questions become:
Is your foreign licence recognised in Morocco?
Do you need an International Driving Permit (IDP)?
Do you meet the age and experience rules for renting a 9-seater in Casablanca?
2) Are EU/UK/US licences valid in Morocco for 9-seaters?
For tourists and short-stay visitors, Morocco generally allows you to drive with a valid national licence issued abroad, as long as it’s:
still valid,
in Latin alphabet (or accompanied by an official translation / IDP).
A 2025 driving-in-Morocco explainer notes that visitors can drive with their national licence for up to one year from entry, provided it’s in Latin script and includes a photo. See Holafly’s 2025 “driving in Morocco” overview here
For UK travellers, the UK government’s guidance on living in Morocco confirms you can drive with a valid UK licence for up to one year, and refers to the 1968-format IDP requirements introduced in 2019 for some situations. Check the UK government’s “Living in Morocco” guidance
for the latest official wording.
For EU and US licences, the pattern is similar:
Short-stay tourism and business trips: your home licence + IDP (if required) is usually enough.
Long stays (months): you may need to exchange or obtain a Moroccan licence after a certain period, but that’s beyond the usual tourist or short assignment scenario.
In practice, Casablanca rental agencies look for:
original plastic licence,
matching name with passport and bank card,
sometimes an IDP if your licence isn’t in Latin characters or their insurance requires it.
3) Age, experience & typical rental rules in Casablanca
Even if the law says your licence is valid, rental companies set their own rules on who they trust with a 9-seater. Common patterns in Morocco:
Minimum age: often 23–25+ for 9-seaters, even if smaller cars start at 21.
Licence history: 1–2 years’ holding a full licence is usually the minimum; 3+ years is preferred for big vans.
Driver count: some agencies allow 2 named drivers free, then charge for extras.
Deposit: higher than for small cars – think in terms of a bigger card pre-authorization because of vehicle value and passenger capacity.
For MarHire-type bookings in Casablanca, a typical profile for a 9-seater is:
lead driver 25+,
several years’ licence,
clear use case (family, crew, team),
mainly motorway + city belt driving, not off-road.
If you’re under 23 or very new to driving, agencies may refuse a 9-seater or ask you to take a smaller car or a transfer/driver solution.
4) Real Casablanca use cases: family, crew, corporate team
A) Big family from Europe or the Gulf
Scenario: landing at Casablanca Mohammed V (CMN) with 2 parents, 3–5 kids, maybe grandparents.
Use of 9-seater:
Airport pickup at CMN → hotel in Ain Diab / city centre.
Day trips: Rabat, El Jadida, Bouskoura, Morocco Mall and coastal runs.
One vehicle instead of 2 taxis everywhere: easier with child seats and bags.
Key tips:
Choose an automatic 9-seater if the main driver only uses automatics at home, Casablanca traffic can be busy.
Use the van mainly on motorways and big boulevards; avoid deep-Medina driving where parking is tight.
B) Port / airport crew and technicians
Scenario: technicians or crew flying into CMN to join a ship in Casablanca port or to work at industrial zones in Bouskoura / Sidi Maârouf.
Use of 9-seater:
Easy shuttle runs between airport, hotel, and port/industrial zones.
All tools and small equipment in one vehicle.
Key tips:
Check company insurance rules – some corporates require named drivers agreed in advance.
Keep a printed list of passengers and contact numbers for safety and internal policy.
C) Corporate team for events or site visits
Scenario: 6–8 people in Casablanca for a conference, client visits, or site inspections.
Use of 9-seater:
CMN → business district (Sidi Maârouf, Marina, city centre).
Multi-stop days around Casablanca–Rabat axis, then evenings at the Corniche.
Key tips:
One driver stays “responsible” for the van, manages keys and parking.
Build realistic time buffers: Casablanca rush hour can stretch a 25-minute hop into 45 minutes easily.
Across all these use cases, a 9-seater works well as long as the driver is comfortable with van dimensions, mirrors and parking in a big North African city.
5) Documents to carry, IDP, police checks & insurance
On Moroccan roads, especially around Casablanca, it’s normal to see police checkpoints, radar, and routine document checks.
To keep these stress-free, your 9-seater should always have:
Original driving licence (EU/UK/US).
International Driving Permit (IDP) if your licence isn’t in Latin script or if your agency/insurer requires it.
Passport or national ID, at least a copy in the vehicle.
Rental contract,
Vehicle registration (carte grise),
Insurance certificate supplied by the rental agency.
Traffic rules you really want to respect in a 9-seater:
Speed limits: 120 km/h on motorways, 80–100 on open roads, 40–60 in town unless signed otherwise.
Seatbelts for everyone, police do check, and in a 9-seater that’s a lot of belts.
Strict drink-driving rules: assume zero tolerance.
No phone in hand while driving; use hands-free if you must.
A longform guide to driving in Morocco highlights frequent speed controls, on-the-spot fines for foreign drivers, and the importance of defensive driving, especially when your vehicle is larger and heavier than a small car.
6) When MarHire may recommend a driver instead of self-drive
Even if you can legally drive a 9-seater with your EU/UK/US licence, MarHire may suggest a driver + van instead, for example when:
Your main driver is young or nervous about large vehicles.
The itinerary involves complex city centres (deep Medina drops, tight streets).
You’re transporting VIP guests or clients where local knowledge and punctuality matter more than saving a bit on a chauffeur.
You have multiple evening events where fatigue and late-night driving in Casablanca could become a risk.
In those cases, keeping the 9-seater but having a local professional driver turns it into a small private shuttle, while your licence, jet lag and corporate duty of care all stay more relaxed.
FAQ
Can I drive a 9-seater in Morocco with a normal EU Category B licence?
Yes, as long as the 9-seater is within 3,500 kg and has 9 seats including the driver, it’s in the normal “car” category that Category B covers.
Is my UK licence enough, or do I need an IDP?
For short stays, UK guidance says you can drive in Morocco with a valid UK licence for up to a year, but refers to using the 1968-format IDP in some cases and recommends checking hire-company rules. Always confirm with your rental provider before travel.
What about a US driver’s licence?
Most US visitors rent cars in Morocco with their US licence + passport, and many agencies recommend or require an IDP as a translation. Check the latest conditions with your rental company and travel insurer.
Is it harder to drive a 9-seater in Casablanca than a small car?
Yes a bit, it’s wider, longer and heavier, so you need to be more careful with parking, lane changes and tight streets. On motorways and big boulevards it’s comfortable; inside old quarters, it can be stressful.
Can I use a 9-seater for commercial passenger trips in Morocco?
This article only covers private use (family, crew, internal team). Commercial passenger transport has extra licensing, insurance and regulatory requirements that go beyond a tourist/business rental.
What happens if we’re stopped at a police checkpoint?
Stay calm, slow down, and have your licence, IDP (if needed), passport, rental contract and vehicle papers ready. If everything is in order and you’re respecting speed limits, checks are usually quick and routine.
