Loxa Drive

Frequently asked questions

Everything people ask us before renting a car in Morocco, including the awkward questions about deposits and damage charges. If something is not covered here, message us and we will answer it straight.

Booking & payment

How much do I pay when I book?

20% of the rental total, or one day's rental if that is more, charged securely online by Stripe. It comes off the price; it is not an extra fee. The balance is paid when you collect the car.

Is there a minimum rental period?

Yes, 3 days. The date picker will not let you choose a shorter rental.

What currencies can I pay in?

Euros or US dollars. Switch currency at the top of any page and every price on the site updates. You are charged in the currency you chose, so your bank should not add a conversion fee.

Are there any fees added later?

No. The total shown before you pay includes delivery, unlimited mileage and VAT. We do not add an airport surcharge, a young-driver fee, or a counter upsell. The only separate item is the refundable security hold described below.

Is my card safe?

Payment is handled entirely by Stripe. Your card details go to Stripe directly and are never stored on our systems or seen by our staff.

Do I get an invoice?

Yes. A confirmation is emailed immediately after payment, and we can issue a company invoice with VAT details for business bookings. Tell us the company details when you book.

Deposits, insurance & the security hold

What is the security hold, and is it the same as the deposit?

They are two different things, and conflating them is a common source of confusion. The deposit is the 20% you pay online, which counts towards the rental price. The security hold is a separate pre-authorisation placed on your credit card at pick-up to cover the insurance excess. It is held, not charged, and released after you return the car.

How much is the security hold?

It is 3% of what the car is worth in Morocco, and the exact amount is shown on each car's page and again before you pay, so it is never a surprise at the counter, which is the single most common complaint about renting in Morocco. Adding zero-excess cover reduces or removes it entirely.

What does the included insurance cover?

Every rental includes collision damage cover (CDW) with an excess, the maximum you could be liable for if the car is damaged. Third-party liability is included as required by Moroccan law.

Should I add full insurance?

Most travellers to Morocco do, and independent travel guides generally recommend it. It reduces your excess to zero, which means there is nothing to hold on your card and nothing to argue about at return. Buying it here is cheaper than buying excess cover at a rental counter.

What is not covered by the insurance?

As with rental cars everywhere, cover excludes damage caused by driving off sealed roads, driving under the influence, or letting an unregistered driver drive. Tyres, glass and the underbody may carry their own terms. Ask us and we will tell you plainly for your specific car.

When do I get the security hold back?

It is released after the car is returned and the condition check is complete. Release timing then depends on your own bank, which typically takes a few working days to show the funds as available again.

Pick-up, delivery & the handover

Do you charge extra for airport pick-up?

No. Delivery and collection at the airport, your hotel or your riad are included. Many companies in Morocco add 8–15% for an airport pick-up; we do not.

How will I find you at the airport?

We message you 24 hours before with the name and mobile number of the person meeting you. They wait inside the arrivals hall with a board showing your name, not in a distant off-site car park.

What if my flight is delayed?

Give us your flight number when booking and we track the arrival. Waiting time caused by a delayed flight is free and your car is held. You will not lose the booking because you landed late.

Is the car checked before I take it?

Yes, and this is important. We walk the car with you and photograph its condition (wheels, glass and roof included) at pick-up and again at return, and you keep a copy. Pre-existing damage therefore cannot be charged to you.

How much fuel is in the car?

It arrives full and should come back full. There is no refuelling admin fee, and we never hand over an empty tank and ask you to fill it immediately.

Can I collect in one city and return in another?

Yes, between the cities we serve. A one-way fee covers bringing the car back: €40 between Casablanca and Marrakech, €60 between Casablanca and Tangier, and €100 between Marrakech and Tangier. It is added to your total before you pay, never at the counter. Returning somewhere else in the same city, such as the airport instead of your hotel, costs nothing.

Documents & driving in Morocco

Do I need an International Driving Permit?

Yes, alongside your national licence if that licence is not in French or Arabic. Get it from your home motoring authority before you travel: it cannot be issued in Morocco, and driving without one risks a fine.

What documents do I bring to the handover?

Your national driving licence (held at least one year), an International Driving Permit, your passport or national ID, and a credit card in the main driver's name for the security hold. We tell you the accepted cards before you pay.

What is the minimum driver age?

21 for the standard fleet, and higher for the premium and prestige classes, which also require a licence held for several years.

Is it safe to drive in Morocco?

Yes, on the main roads. The motorways are modern and well surfaced, and the routes tourists use most (Casablanca to Marrakech, Marrakech to Essaouira, Tangier to Chefchaouen) are straightforward. City traffic is dense, and driving after dark on rural roads is best avoided.

What about speed cameras and police checks?

Both are common, particularly on the Casablanca–Marrakech corridor. Fines are issued on the spot by the Gendarmerie and paid in cash, so carry some. The alcohol limit is zero. Speed limits are generally 120 km/h on motorways, 100 on expressways and 60 in towns.

Can I take the car off-road or into the desert?

Sealed mountain roads such as the Tizi n'Tichka are fine in any of our cars. Genuine off-road and dune driving is not covered by the insurance on any rental car in Morocco. Tell us your route and we will advise honestly about what the car can do.

Can I take the car out of Morocco?

No. Our vehicles may not be taken onto the ferry to Spain or across a land border. If you are travelling on to Europe, return the car before you board.

Changes, cancellations & problems

Can I cancel?

Yes. Cancel up to 48 hours before pick-up and your deposit is refunded in full. If you do not show up and have not cancelled, the deposit is not refunded: it compensates for the car that was held for you.

Can I change my dates?

Yes, subject to availability. Message us on WhatsApp and we will move the booking rather than make you cancel and rebook.

What if the car I booked is not available?

For the standard fleet we supply an equivalent or an upgrade at no extra cost. For the luxury and prestige tier we confirm the specific car before you pay and tell you before payment if it cannot be supplied. We do not substitute a prestige car on the day.

What happens if the car breaks down?

24/7 roadside assistance is included on every rental, on one number answered in English or French. If the vehicle cannot be repaired we replace it.

What if I disagree with a charge?

Write to us and you will get a reply within 24 hours. If damage is charged, we supply the condition photographs from both handovers and the repair invoice within five working days, the documentation you would need for a bank dispute, which the complaints about this market say too many operators never send.

Still not sure about something?

Ask us before you book, not after. We answer on WhatsApp within minutes during opening hours.

See also our Rental terms · Marrakech city · Casablanca city · Tangier city