Transportation Ministry to standardize license plates for international travel

Economy of the East

The Ministry of Transport and Logistics has begun working on resolving the issue related to the difference in the format of vehicle license plates between the format in force in Morocco and that required during international traffic. This comes through the amendment of Decree No. 2711.10 of the Minister of Equipment and Transport on the registration of vehicles, with the aim of finding a unified formula that ensures the harmonization of national laws with international commitments.

Minister Abdessamad Guiouh explained that this measure comes in response to a number of questions raised about the application of the requirements of Article 28 of the aforementioned decree, particularly with regard to the need to standardize the shape of the registration plates before traveling abroad and upon return.

Harmonization of national legislation with international conventions

The minister explained that the legal article in question stipulates that Moroccan vehicles used in international traffic must carry registration plates identical to the national system, with the addition of Latin letters and the corresponding Arabic letters according to the model specified in Annex 13 of the ministerial decree. This measure aims to facilitate the identification of Moroccan vehicles abroad and ensure respect for the rules governing international traffic.

This is part of the harmonization of national legislation with the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, which defines the conditions for the cross-border movement of vehicles and trailers, which Morocco ratified in 1982. The move is a continuation of the government's efforts to promote legislative harmonization between domestic standards and international obligations.

Transitional procedures to avoid confusion

The ministry has taken interim measures to avoid any confusion among road users, deciding to allow the use of international traffic plates within the national territory until the final version is adopted. It also coordinated with the Royal Gendarmerie High Command and the General Directorate of National Security to direct surveillance teams to take this decision into account during inspections, to avoid issuing unjustified violations.