Rabat – Morocco’s Ministry of Transport and Logistics has introduced new measures to enhance oversight of imported motorcycles following the suspension of speedometer checks on August 21. This move comes in response to a rise in motorcycle imports, particularly from China, and growing concerns over road safety.
An official told SNRTnews that monitoring stations will soon be set up at border crossings, particularly at ports. These stations will include officials from the Customs Administration and other relevant sectors to ensure compliance before motorcycles are allowed into the country.
The ministry clarified that this initiative aims to streamline the import process for certified “Green Pass” companies, including motorized cyclomoteurs, which already meet the required technical standards.
The decision follows data from the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Customs Administration, showing a significant increase in imports—from 121,674 motorcycles in 2022 to 336,970 in 2024. Over 90 percent of these motorcycles were reported to have engines under 50 cubic centimeters.
Legal and Regulatory Revisions in Progress
The official added that discussions are ongoing, with authorities considering changes to the current legal provisions, particularly Articles 111 and 157 of the traffic code. Among the proposed changes is a review of penalties for motorcycle owners whose vehicles do not meet technical standards. Talks are also taking place to strengthen import controls and improve certification processes in collaboration with relevant services.
These new measures follow the delay of mandatory speedometer checks, which were meant to ensure motorcycles adhered to the legal limits of 50 cubic centimeters in engine capacity and a maximum speed of 50 km/h. Motorcycle owners were granted a grace period to meet these requirements.
Transport and Logistics Minister Abdessamad Kayouh addressed the issue on Wednesday, September 10, during a meeting of the Permanent Committee for Road Safety. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the introduction of the speedometer rule for motorcycle owners, stressing the need to adjust regulations to practical realities while still prioritizing road safety.
Kayouh also mentioned that further measures, including the official approval process for speedometers, are still under review and that monitoring will resume once the necessary procedures are completed.
The minister presented provisional traffic accident statistics, revealing that 2,922 people have died in road accidents this year, a significant rise compared to the same period in 2024. Fatalities in urban areas increased by 45.6 percent, with approximately half of the victims being motorcyclists. Outside urban areas, the death rate rose by nearly 13 percent.
Kayouh emphasized that these troubling statistics underline the urgent need for comprehensive measures at every stage of the motorcycle supply chain, from import and distribution to certification and road monitoring.