Visiting Morocco with borrowed motorbike

[Kudi]

Does anyone have current information about entering Morocco with a borrowed motorbike/car, i.e. a motorbike that's registered in someone else name? I know way back that used to be a problem. Is the situation still the same? Any way this can be done without too much hassle?

[PanEuropean]

Grüezi Kudi:

I'm not an expert on Moroccan rules and regulations, however, I have visited Morocco once with my own motorcycle.

I recall that the Moroccan customs authorities were quite meticulous (and also quite courteous & efficient) when I went through the paperwork formalities to do a temporary tourist importation of my moto. They did all their work on the ferry as we floated from Spain to Morocco.

I expect that the only concern that any authority would have about someone operating / importing a vehicle registered to another person is a concern that the vehicle might be stolen.

What I suggest that you do is contact the Moroccan embassy in Bern and ask them for guidance. If they can't offer any advice specific to your question, you might want to consider having a notary in CH draw up a document that states that the owner of the vehicle authorizes you to operate it and to temporarily import it to Morocco for tourism. Once you have that document completed (with all the appropriate official stamps, etc.), ask the Moroccan embassy if it is necessary to have it translated into Arabic.

I suggest that if you have the document drawn up in French, you might not need to get an Arabic translation... it might be sufficient to simply present the document at the Moroccan embassy in Bern and have the embassy attach a note stating that they have seen the document and that it is legitimate.

Hope this helps,

Michael

[Tim Cullis]

This happens a lot, especially when the bikes for a tour group are entering overland on a trailer and the owners are flying in. The customs guys are not that worried about the ownership issue, more that the vehicle entry is properly recorded against you and that you won't be able to exit and leave the bike behind.

You need a letter of authority from the owner and of course you need the vehicle ownership paperwork with you. The link below is of a neat little template you could adapt: https://store.nolo.com/products/auth...oe3-pr408.html

You could use Google Translate to add French to the English words. No need for Arabic.

[Kudi]

PanEuropean & Tim

Thanks for the info guys! I will give it a shot if I can get it organized sometime later this year. I know that renting in Morocco is an option too, but it's somewhat expensive and we're on a tight budget currently. Good to know using a borrowed bike is possible.

Good to see the same old names names on the HUBB! It's been a while since my last post here. After reaching the end of the road a few years back in East Timor I had to exchange my handlebar for a rudder, didn't want to turn around. But I do sometimes miss the simplicity of solo motorbike traveling... that's whole different story though

Thanks again
Jiri

[PanEuropean]

Jiri:

I entered Morocco last week with my motorcycle, which is registered in my wife's name (long story, has to do with me being a non-resident of my home country when I bought the moto).

Anyway, this time, the customs guys noticed the difference in first name between my wife and myself, and wanted to see a letter of permission from my wife. I didn't have one, and it took quite a bit of discussion and explaining before I could proceed into the country. What finally clenched it for me was that my address on my driver licence and my wife's address on the ownership record were identical. That seemed to placate the customs guys, but, in light of what happened to me last week, I suggest you get a letter of authorization drawn up (in French!) and get it notarized, and bring it with you.

Michael

[Sam Rutherford]

Good to hear things have improved. Had an epic about 10 years ago bringing in 12 motorbikes for the guys who were flying in.

So, nice that they're now used to this sort of thing - keen to go back with the kids now that they're big enough to ride properly!

[Kudi]

Michael, thanks a lot for the update. That is good news, it means with a notarized letter (in French) it should be possible. Unfortunately haven't had the chance to try it yet, working on it...



Jiri

[Ian432]

Entered at Tangier Med couple of weeks ago.
Letter, in French, from registered keeper giving permission appears to be ok.
So long as there is a paper trail with matching address and names.

[Tony LEE]

Just make sure any authorisations fully identify you using your passport details and preferably include the signature that is on your passport
Wikipedia has a summary of the requirements of the Vienna Convention, including this

The driver must carry the vehicle's registration certificate, and if the vehicle is not registered in the name of an occupant of the vehicle (e.g., a hire car), proof of the driver's right to be in possession of the vehicle.

[PanEuropean]

Hi Jiri:

I think that the overall concept that you need to keep in mind is that the various Moroccan authorities (traffic police, national police, customs officials) are very courteous and generally well disposed towards ensuring that guests have a pleasant time in the country, but; they are also very meticulous about security, paperwork, & documentation.

So, as long as you have all the necessary documents, the 'T's are crossed and the 'I's are dotted, and you are well organized, I don't think you will encounter any problems.

Michael

[Kudi]

Michael, thanks, exactly my experience too. Also, keep smiling no matter what :-)

[PanEuropean]

Originally Posted by Kudi

Also, keep smiling no matter what :-)

I actually found that pretty easy to do... the Moroccan officials are pretty friendly, pretty good-humoured folks.

On my way out of the country yesterday, there was some kind of computer foul-up at the Customs office at Tanger Med port - the Customs guys couldn't get the computer to work, and they needed it to record that I was exporting my motorcycle.

So, they made tea, and offered me some. Then they phoned my ferry company, and discovered that the ferry was running late, which put all of us at ease. Eventually the computer came back to life.

Like I wrote before - extraordinarily friendly officials, but very detail-oriented.

Michael