Rabat: Morocco and Portugal are now recognizing each other’s driving licenses, following an agreement signed in Rabat on Wednesday enabling the mutual recognition and exchange of driving licenses between both countries. Signed by Morocco’s Minister of Transport and his Portuguese counterpart, the agreement forms part of the growing cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the areas of road transport and mobility. It also updates the initial agreement signed in 2003 on the mutual recognition and exchange of driving licenses for driving purposes.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the new agreement addresses difficulties encountered by Moroccans residing in Portugal, where authorities had previously limited the exchange of Moroccan licenses to Category “B” due to differences in license formats and the information they contain. The revised agreement was drafted to overcome challenges identified through practical implementation while modernizing the legal and technical framework governing the
mutual recognition of driving licenses between the two countries, the ministry said.

Among its key provisions, the agreement aligns with the updated requirements of Morocco’s Road Traffic Code (Law No. 52.05) and updates its annexes to reflect the driving license models currently in use in both countries. It also allows holders of a driving license issued by either country to drive in the territory of the other for up to one year from the date of entry, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Another major breakthrough is the extension of license exchange eligibility to all categories of Moroccan driving licenses obtained before establishing residence in Portugal, rather than limiting the arrangement to Category “B” licenses. The measure is expected to expand the rights of Moroccans living in Portugal, facilitate their professional and social integration, and enhance their mobility across the country.

Portuguese Minister Miguel Pinto Luz said the agreement opens a new chapter in bilateral coope
ration and will be followed by additional initiatives aimed at further strengthening the partnership between the two countries. He also commended Morocco’s development momentum and the significant progress achieved in modernizing infrastructure and enhancing logistics capacities, noting that these strategic investments reflect an ambitious vision geared toward fostering sustainable economic growth and consolidating Morocco’s position as a reliable regional and international economic partner.