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Moroccan car registration in 2025: the complete list of codes by city
The national vehicle fleet continues to evolve, reflecting the Kingdom’s economic dynamism. Whether for purchasing a used vehicle, managing a corporate fleet, or simple citizen curiosity, knowing how to decipher a license plate is a useful skill. This system, well ingrained in our driving habits, follows a precise geographic and administrative logic that allows the origin of each car to be identified at a glance.
Understanding the structure of the license plate in Morocco
The current system, standardized to facilitate control and traceability, is based on a simple yet effective alphanumeric combination. Unlike some European models, Morocco has opted for a right-to-left reading for the geographic identifier, while retaining Arabic numerals for the series. A standard plate is divided into three distinct parts, each having a specific function in the vehicle registration.
The first part, located on the left, is a series of numbers (from 1 to 99,999). This is the registration order number. Once this counter reaches its maximum for a given series, the central letter changes. This is where the second part comes in: a letter from the Arabic alphabet. It starts with “Alif” (أ), then “Ba” (ب), and so on. For example, after the car registration “99999 | A | 6”, the next vehicle will be registered “1 | B | 6”. This allows an infinite number of combinations to accompany the growth of the vehicle fleet.
Finally, the right part, often bordered by a vertical line, contains the numeric code of the city or prefecture of issue. It is this number, ranging from 1 to 89, that raises the most questions. It allows instant recognition of whether a vehicle was registered in Agadir, Tangier, or Oujda. For HR or logistics professionals, understanding this geographic distribution helps better grasp commuting flows and the origin of motorized employees.
Geographic distribution: the guide to city identifiers
To navigate easily on the Kingdom’s roads or assess a vehicle, here is the summary table of codes. This complete list is essential for anyone wishing to identify a car’s origin. Note that large metropolitan areas like Casablanca have several codes due to their administrative division and population density.
| License Code 🇲🇦 | City / Prefecture | Region / Zone |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rabat | Rabat-Salé-Kénitra |
| 2 | Salé | Rabat-Salé-Kénitra |
| 3 | Salé Al-Jadida | Rabat-Salé-Kénitra |
| 4 | Skhirate-Témara | Rabat-Salé-Kénitra |
| 5 | Khemisset | Rabat-Salé-Kénitra |
| 6, 7, 8, 79, 80, 81 | Casablanca (Anfa, Hay Mohammadi, Ain Sebaa…) | Casablanca-Settat |
| 9 | Mohammedia | Casablanca-Settat |
| 10 | El Jadida | Casablanca-Settat |
| 13 | Settat | Casablanca-Settat |
| 15 | Fès (Jdid – Dar Dbibegh) | Fès-Meknès |
| 26 | Marrakech (Menara) | Marrakech-Safi |
| 33 | Agadir Ida-Outanane | Souss-Massa |
| 40 | Tanger-Assilah | Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceïma |
| 44 | Tétouan | Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceïma |
| 48 | Oujda-Angad | L’Oriental |
| 50 | Nador | L’Oriental |
| 64 | Béni Mellal | Béni Mellal-Khénifra |
| 72 | Laayoune | Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra |
| 77 | Dakhla | Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab |
Specific features of government and diplomatic vehicles
Beyond civilian vehicles, traffic in Morocco includes a significant fleet of official cars. These plates are distinguished by specific codes or different colors, indicating a state or diplomatic function. Recognizing these license plates helps understand the nature of the movement, whether it is an administrative mission or an official convoy.
License codes reserved for high state officials are strictly regulated. For example, code 96 is assigned to official vehicles of senior officials such as Walis and Governors. Parliament has its own identifier with code 98, while vehicles from the Royal Palace’s fleet bear code 97. Finally, ministers’ service cars are identifiable by the suffix 999 (or 99 according to old series) to the right of the plate. These distinctions ensure quick identification by law enforcement and protocol.
Impact of registration on the used car market
In the automotive sector, the registration number sometimes influences buyers’ perceptions, although this often falls under urban myth. Some drivers prefer vehicles registered in coastal cities or dry climates, assuming better bodywork condition. However, in 2025, the mechanical condition and actual maintenance outweigh the geographic origin displayed on the plate.
For professionals managing vehicle fleets, centralizing registrations can simplify administrative management. When purchasing a used vehicle, it is crucial to verify the consistency between the registration certificate and the number stamped on the chassis, regardless of the city of origin. The ownership transfer requires a rigorous mutation procedure, and although the plate may remain the same in some cases, the administrative file must be perfectly up to date to avoid any future disputes.
It is important to remember that the role of listing platforms is to connect buyers and sellers without intervening in the transaction. Vigilance remains essential: having the vehicle inspected by a trusted mechanic is a crucial step before any payment, regardless of the prestige of the license plate.
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No, since the reform of the registration system, the number assigned to the vehicle at its first registration remains the same throughout the vehicle’s life, even if the owner changes city of residence.
What do the Arabic letters in the middle of the plate mean?
The Arabic letter (Alif, Ba, Dal, etc.) serves to increment the series. Once the number series reaches 99,999 with one letter (e.g., A), you move on to the next letter (e.g., B) and the counter resets to 1. This increases the numbering capacity.
What are the codes for new prefectures like Casablanca?
Casablanca, due to its size, uses several codes for its different prefectures: 6 for Anfa, 7 for Hay Mohammadi-Ain Sebaa, 8 for Hay Hassani, and more recently 79, 80, 81 to cover urban area expansion.
How to recognize a new car with provisional registration?
New vehicles awaiting definitive registration often circulate with a plate starting with WW. These are temporary registrations allowing legal driving while finalizing the administrative file.
