Car rental in Rabat

From the Kasbah of the Udayas overlooking the ocean to the ruins of Chellah, Rabat preserves monuments from different eras scattered throughout the city and its outskirts. Renting a car in Rabat transforms sightseeing into a connected route rather than a series of separate trips.

Localrent helps you with car rental. We gather offers from local companies, and you choose the car according to your preferences directly and book from home.

Benefits of Renting Through Localrent

Our goal is to make car rental easy, accessible, and safe for every visitor to Rabat. Through direct work with rental companies, we offer the best conditions and lock in prices at the booking stage.

Five service advantages:

1. Small advance payment. Booking requires a prepayment of 15–20% of the total cost. You pay the balance to the company manager when picking up the car.
2. Tailored selection. Filters help you find a car by specific parameters: transmission type, deposit size, additional options (such as a model with unlimited mileage or city delivery).
3. Transparent pricing. No hidden fees, payments, or taxes. You know the final cost before making the advance payment, and there are no unpleasant surprises when picking up the car.
4. Wide model range. Vehicles of all classes are available—from economical compact cars to powerful SUVs and premium sedans.
5. Minimal deposits. Most offers include a small deposit. Some vehicles can be rented with no deposit at all.

What You Need to Rent a Car

The service displays all parameters for a specific car in advance. You see the requirements for driver age and experience in the selected model's listing.

Basic document list for renting in Rabat:

• Valid category "B" driver's license
• Identification document (passport)
• Bank card for advance payment (you can pay the balance by card or cash—check the conditions when booking in the car listing)

When meeting with the rental company manager in Rabat, you need to present your voucher. This document confirms your order through Localrent and arrives by email after completing the booking.

Traffic Rules and Regulations

Traffic in Morocco is right-hand drive. Many horse-drawn vehicles and motorcyclists use the roads, so stay alert to traffic conditions. Outside Rabat, roads are less congested.

Key traffic rules:

• Speed limits: in the city—40–60 km/h, on highways—up to 100 km/h or up to 120 km/h on toll roads. Note that exceeding the speed limit even by 1 km/h is a violation.
• Roundabouts: vehicles already on the roundabout have priority.
• Headlights: low beams are mandatory in the evening, at night, and in poor weather. Some local drivers drive with lights on during the day as well.
• Seat belts: mandatory for all passengers.
• Phone use: talking on the phone while driving is only allowed through a hands-free system.

Traffic police frequently stop vehicles. Always carry your driver's license, passport, and rental car documents. Observe signs—for example, at a "STOP" sign, don't just reduce speed but come to a complete stop.

Toll roads exist between major cities. The system is simple: at the entrance you receive a ticket, at the exit you pay.

Gas Stations

Many gas stations in Rabat operate around the clock. Stations are found even on mountain and desert roads.

Attendants service the vehicle themselves. They may also check oil levels and tire pressure. Payment is usually accepted in cash, and they rarely ask for tips directly, but leaving them is customary. Bank cards don't work at all stations.

Parking

Nearly all parking in Rabat is paid. Even on a deserted roadside, someone in a vest may appear within minutes and ask for payment. The price is symbolic, so disputes are pointless. Refusing may result in scratches on your car.

In cities, use equipped parking lots with automatic machines. They accept cash and cards. This avoids unexpected negotiations with local unofficial attendants.

Car Booking Instructions

Placing an order through Localrent takes just a few minutes. You see all rental conditions before making the advance payment.

How to book a car:

1. Specify dates and location. Select Rabat Airport or another pickup point, and mark the rental dates.
2. Apply filters. Sort offers by insurance type, brand, deposit size (or none), payment option, etc.
3. Choose a model. The listing shows the final cost with no hidden fees. Carefully review the conditions and technical specifications. Select additional options, such as adding a second driver to the contract.
4. Enter the primary driver's details and pay a 15–20% advance by card. This reserves the car for you, and the price is final.
5. Receive confirmation. A voucher with the rental company's contact information will arrive at the specified email.

In Rabat, arrive at the specified location at the agreed time. You should have your documents, including the booking voucher (you can print it or show it on your smartphone screen). Sign the contract with the rental company manager and pay the balance by card or cash.

Road Trip Routes

Renting a car in Rabat opens possibilities for exploring Morocco's capital and its surroundings. We've prepared five popular destinations you can reach by car:

1. Atlas Mountains. The mountain range lies south of Rabat and features impressive natural attractions. For example, Ouzoud Falls forms three cascades dropping into a gorge. The path to it runs through olive groves. For mountain trips, choose a car with a powerful engine, as switchbacks require confident acceleration on climbs.
2. Volubilis. A 2.5-hour drive from Rabat brings you to the ruins of an ancient city. Remarkably preserved mosaics and architectural elements impress with their beauty and history. For instance, the 3rd-century Basilica with arched openings served judicial proceedings. Nearby stands the Capitoline Temple with Corinthian columns and an altar at the entrance.
3. Meknes. A popular attraction here is the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, built in the early 18th century. El-Hedim Square serves as the main entrance to the medina. From here, trading markets with carpets and craft workshops begin.
4. Temara. This coastal town is a 30-minute drive from Rabat. It features several sandy beaches with golden sand. The National Automobile Museum displays a collection of 400 classic cars. The archaeology museum holds local artifacts—from ancient ceramics to jewelry.
5. Chefchaouen. The town sits in the Rif Mountains and is known for its blue houses and cozy streets. In the Medina, the blue color covers steps, doors, street fountains, and even plant pots.

For trips along the coast, any type of car will do. If you want to explore mountain areas and remote beaches, choose powerful vehicles with high ground clearance.

Car Pickup Locations in Rabat

The car pickup location depends on your preferences and the specific rental company's conditions. The choice is available when arranging rental on the Localrent website.

Use the "Specify location" filter. Popular locations include:

• Rabat-Salé Airport
• Rabat Ville central station
• Port
• City center

Some companies offer car delivery to your hotel or any location in Rabat. Others suggest coming to the company office.

Rental Considerations

Car rental in Rabat has specific features. Our tips will simplify getting the car and navigating local roads, ensuring your vacation isn't spoiled by surprises.

Choosing a car

Any class suits the city—whether luxury or budget. For long trips, a crossover is optimal—comfortable and spacious, especially for a large group.

Language

Arabic is the official language in Morocco. But French is also spoken here. It's better to memorize key words and phrases—they'll come in handy when communicating with police or at gas stations.

Check the vehicle condition

Before signing the rental agreement, thoroughly inspect the car. Ensure all damage and scratches are listed in the acceptance report. Just in case, take photos or video of the vehicle.

Road numbering

In Morocco, roads with four digits in their name often have poor asphalt. Three-digit roads also have substandard surfaces. It's better to plan routes along highways with one or two digits in the designation.

Common Questions