Morocco extends deadline for retrieval of driver’s licenses and vehicle documents to 30 days

The Moroccan government has extended the deadline for authorities to return confiscated driver’s licenses and vehicle registration documents from 15 to 30 days, starting from the day after the traffic violation is recorded.

The change is part of a new legal amendment introduced in Decree No. 2.24.655, issued on April 24, 2025 (25 Shawwal 1446), and published in the latest issue of the Official Gazette (No. 7400). The decree amends Decree No. 2.10.313 of September 29, 2010, which implements Law No. 52.05 on the Highway Code concerning fixed and reconciliatory fines.

Under the new rules, violators may now choose the authority office from which to retrieve their documents after paying the fine—especially in cases where their residence or payment location is more than 50 kilometers from the authority that recorded the violation.

Specifically, violators must collect their confiscated driver’s license, vehicle registration certificate, or proof of ownership from the designated authority within 30 days from the day after the violation was noted. Previously, this deadline was limited to 15 days.

If the violator fails to retrieve the documents within 15 days after the 30-day deadline expires, the relevant authority will send the documents to the regional or provincial office of the Ministry of Equipment and Transport if the fine has been paid. If not, the documents and a report will be forwarded to the public prosecutor.

The 50-kilometer distance—used to determine whether violators can choose an alternate retrieval office—is calculated between the administrative district where the violation was recorded and the district of the violator’s residence or payment location.

The decree also allows violators to retrieve their documents from a chosen authority by presenting the official receipt for the confiscated document (driver’s license, registration certificate, or proof of ownership) and the fine payment receipt. They must sign a discharge form to be added to the violation file.

In addition, the decree introduces the option to pay the maximum fine amount using the confiscation receipt for the proof of ownership document—an option previously only available with the receipt for the license, registration certificate, or a copy of a filed complaint.

While waiting for the 30-day fine payment period (as defined in Article 221 of Law No. 52.05) to end, the authority that recorded the violation retains the confiscated documents. If the fine is not paid within this period, the documents and a copy of the violation report are forwarded to the competent public prosecutor. If the fine is paid, the authority must notify the prosecutor and send a copy of the payment receipt.