You may compare different driving licenses against each other for visual clarity:
Apply for an International Driver License for Arabic-speaking countries.
Compare licenses in
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with licenses in
English-speaking countries
Curacao
American Samoa
Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Bermuda
Botswana
British Virgin Islands
Brunei
Burundi
Cameroon
Canada
Caribbean Netherlands
Cayman Islands
China
Cook Islands
Cyprus
Dominica
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Falkland Islands
Fiji
French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Gambia
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greenland
Grenada
Guam
Guernsey
Guyana
Honduras
Hong Kong
India
Ireland
Israel
Jamaica
Jersey
Kenya
Kiribati
Lebanon
- International Driving License is recognized.
- International Driving License is recommended. Temporary local licence may be obtained based on national driving licence, but this may be time consuming and more expensive.
- In Lebanon, they drive on the right side of the road.
- The maximum permitted speed limit is 50 km/h in urban areas and 100 km/h on rural roads.
- Seat belt is a must.
- The minimum age to drive is 18 years. The minimum rental age is 23 years.
- Though you are prohibited to drink and drive in Lebanon, the maximum allowed alcohol limit is not regulated by the law.
- Safety camera warning devices are not prohibited in Lebanon.
- Child safety law says that children under 12 are prohibited to sit in the front seats. Instead, use an appropriate restraint system and place your child in the rear seat.
- Beware of animals on rural roads.
- If you are going to go to the Bekaa Valley, keep in mind that snow in winter is a commonplace there.
- You’d better stay away from the borders in the north and east of Lebanon.
Lesotho
Liberia
Malawi
Malaysia
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Micronesia
Montserrat
Namibia
Nauru
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Niue
Northern Cyprus
Northern Mariana Islands
Pakistan
Palau
Palestine Autonomous
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Puerto Rico
Rwanda
Saint Martin
Samoa
San Marino
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Sint Maarten
Solomon Islands
Somaliland
South Africa
South Sudan
- International Driving License has no legal status.
- Insurance is a must.
- South Sudan drives on the right side of the road.
- We recommend you not to visit South Sudan from June to November due to the beginning of the rainy season.
- Avoid driving at night.
- Be extremely attentive behind the wheel since there are no zebra crossings in South Sudan.
- The maximum urban speed limit is 50 km/h while the maximum rural speed limit is 90 km/h.
- You are prohibited to drink and drive.
- There are restrictions on children sitting in the front seat.
- The minimum allowed driving age is 18.
- Seat belt is a must.
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent
Sudan
- Not party to 1949 convention; International Driving License is honored.
- International Driving License is recommended. Temporary local licence may be obtained based on national driving licence, but this may be time consuming and more expensive.
- Sudan is a right-hand drive country.
- The minimum allowed age to drive a vehicle is 18. You can drive a bus or minibus if you are already 24 years old.
- The maximum allowed drink drive limit is 0 mg per 100 ml of blood.
- The maximum speed limit is 130 km/h on highways, 50 km/h on urban roads, 90 km/h in residential areas and 40 km/h near schools.
- Seat belt is a must.
- You are not allowed to turn right on a red traffic light.
- Do not drive at night.
- Drive with the headlights turned on.
- Women are allowed to drive.
Tanzania
- International Driving License is recognized.
- International Driving License is recommended. Temporary local licence may be obtained based on national driving licence, but this may be time consuming and more expensive.
- Tanzania is a left-hand drive country.
- The minimum age to drive a car is 18.
- Seat belt is a must.
- The third-party insurance is obligatory.
- The maximum allowed speed limit is 50 km/h on urban roads, and 80 km/h in the countryside.
- Avoid night driving.
- Stay at home during the rainy season (March to June). Otherwise, rent a four-wheel drive vehicle.
Tokelau Islands
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
US Virgin Islands
Uganda
United Kingdom
United States of America
Vanuatu
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Arabic-speaking countries
Algeria
- International Driving License is recognized.
- Driving licences that do not incorporate a photograph must be accompanied by an International Driving License.
- In Algeria, they drive on the right side of the road.
- Seat belt is always a must.
- The minimum driving age is 17. If you want to rent a car, you should be at least 21.
- The maximum allowed drink drive limit is 10 mg per 100 ml of blood.
- Hands-free is a must.
- The maximum permitted speed limit is 50 km/h on urban roads, 80 km/h on rural roads and 110 km/h on highways.
- If you are travelling with a child under 10 years of age, make sure you are using a proper child restraint system in the rear seat.
- The third-party insurance is mandatory.
- Always give way to pedestrians.
- You are to have a reflective vest, a warning road triangle and a fire extinguisher in your car.
- Tinted windows are prohibited.
- You are not allowed to drive in the desert if you are all alone.
Bahrain
- Not party to 1949 convention; International Driving License is honored.
- Requires an International Driving License presentation to local police and payment of special registration upon arrival.
- International Driving License is required. Also required for car hire.
- Bahrain is a right-hand drive country.
- Seat belt is a must.
- The maximum allowed speed limit is 60 km/h on urban roads, 80-100 km/h on rural roads and 120 km/h on highways.
- The minimum age to drive is 18. If you are 18, you are also free to rent a car.
- There is no drinking tradition in Bahrain. Thus, it is strictly prohibited to drink and drive.
- Children under 10 of age are prohibited to sit in the front seats. Make sure you are using an appropriate child restraint system as well as seat belts.
- Road signs in Bahrain are shown in Arabic and English.
- You are not allowed to eat, drink and smoke when behind the wheel.
- Keep in mind that when at roundabouts you must give way to cars which are inside this roundabout.
Chad
- Not party to 1949 convention; International Driving License is honored.
- International Driving License is required.
- Chad is a right-hand drive country.
- The maximum permitted speed limit on urban roads is 50 km/h.
- The maximum allowed alcohol limit is 80 mg per 100 ml of blood.
- Seat belt is a must.
- You are prohibited to text or talk when behind the wheel.
- Beware of the rainy season (mid June to mid September).
- In dry season, roads are covered with dust. Thus, it affects visibility.
- Avoid driving at night.
- Make sure you have spare tyres and enough drinking water.
Comoros
- Not party to 1949 convention; International Driving License is honored.
- International Driving License is required.
- Comoros drives on the right side of the road.
- Seat belt is a must.
- If you want to rent a car in Comoros, you must be at least 23 and have a 1 year+ driving experience.
- The maximum permitted speed limit is 30 km/h on urban roads.
- The maximum allowed drink drive limit is 0 mg per 100 ml of blood.
- You’d better not drive after dark.
Djibouti
Egypt
- International Driving License is recognized.
- International Driving License is required.
- Egypt drives on the right side of the road.
- The maximum allowed speed limit is 50 km/h on urban roads, 90 km/h on rural roads and 100 km/h on highways.
- Seat belt is a must for everyone.
- The minimum driving age is 18. If you want to rent a car in Egypt, you must be at least 25.
- Hands-free is a must.
- The maximum permitted drink drive limit is 50 mg per 100 ml of alcohol.
- There are no child safety rules in Egypt at all. Thus, we recommend you to think ahead of your child safety.
- The third-party insurance is obligatory.
- Beware of animals on the road. Drive carefully.
- Traffic lights in Egypt are frequently out of operation. Keep this in mind in order not to get into an accident.
- There are a lot of speed cameras in Egypt, both fixed and mobile.
Eritrea
Iraq
- Part of 1926 Convention on Motor Traffic.
- International Driving License is required.
- Driving in Iraq is on the right side of the road.
- Keep in mind that some roads have no lane markers. Thus, local citizens drive everywhere.
- Beware of speed bumps. Slow down in advance.
- Drinking alcohol and driving is a formula for trouble in Iraq.
- Seat belt is a must.
- The maximum allowed urban speed limit is 60 km/h (however, can be increased to 100 km/h), the maximum permitted speed limit on rural roads is 100 km/h and 120 km/h on highways.
- There is no national law concerning child restraints. However, there are some restrictions on children who are sitting in the front seats.
- Local drivers usually don’t give way to pedestrians.
Jordan
- Not party to 1949 convention; International Driving License is honored.
- International Driving License is required.
- Jordan drives on the right hand of the road.
- The minimum age to drive is 18. The minimum age to rent a car is 25. The maximum rental age is 70.
- Drinking alcohol and driving is a formula for trouble in Jordan since the maximum allowed drink drive limit is 0 mg per 100 ml of blood.
- Seat belt is a must.
- Make sure you have put a warning road triangle and a fire extinguisher in your car.
- Children must seat in the back seats. For those under the age of 4, use appropriate restraint systems.
- Always give way to pedestrians.
- The maximum permitted speed limit is 80-100 km/h on highways, 70 km/h on public roads and 50 km/h in cities.
- Road signs are shown in both Arabic and English.
- You’d better not visit the region from December to March during the rainy season.
- Avoid night driving.
- Keep in mind that when on a rural road you must stop to give way to camels and other wildlife.
- Beware of landmines.
Kuwait
- Not party to 1949 convention; International Driving License is honored.
- International Driving License is required.
- Kuwait is a right-hand drive country.
- Seat belt is a must.
- The minimum age to drive is 18. If you want to rent a car, you should be at least 21.
- Keep in mind that if you are travelling with a child who is under 10 years old, you are prohibited to transport him/her in the front seats.
- The maximum permitted alcohol level is 0 mg per 100 ml of blood. If you are found drunk behind the wheel, you will be jailed for up to 1 year.
- Texting and talking when behind the wheel is not allowed.
- The third-party insurance is a must.
- Female drivers may drive unveiled.
- The maximum allowed speed limit is 120 km/h on highways, 45 km/h on urban roads.
- You are prohibited to park your vehicle in the locations where there you see black and yellow shoulder.
- Keep in mind that if you violate traffic rules, you may be deported.
Libya
- Not party to 1949 convention; International Driving License is honored.
- International Driving License recommended.
- Libya is a right-hand drive country.
- The maximum allowed speed limit within towns is 50 km/h. On rural roads, you are allowed to drive at a speed of 85 km/h.
- There are almost no traffic lights in Libya and those present are written only in Arabic. Local drivers often violate traffic rules, run red lights and do not give way to pedestrians. However, be careful and drive defensively since if you are found guilty, you may be severely punished by witnesses on site.
- If you raise your hand no matter whether you are a pedestrian or a driver, you have a right of way.
- You are prohibited to drink and drive in Libya.
- Avoid night driving.
- The minimum driving age in Libya is 18. To rent a car, you must be at least 25.
- Don’t leave your car unattended. Thus, you protect yourself against hijacking and robbery.
- Think twice before going to Libya. That will be a risky journey due to kidnapping, terrorism and high crime rates.
Mauritania
- Not party to 1949 convention; International Driving License is honored.
- International Driving License recommended.
- Mauritania drives on the right side of the road.
- Beware of bribes.
- We recommend you to rent a four-wheel drive vehicle with a local driver since road conditions in Mauritania are quite poor.
- To be on a safe side, you’d better travel in convoy.
- Avoid night driving.
- There is a risk of being blown up by a landmine.
- The crime rates in Mauritania are extremely high due to kidnapping and terrorism.
- You are prohibited to drink and drive in Mauritania. Thus, the maximum allowed drink drive limit is 0 mg per 100 ml of blood.
- Seat belt is a must.
- The minimum driving age is 18. The minimum rental age is 25.
- Mauritania is a Muslim country. Thus, religion prohibits to drink and drive.
- The maximum allowed speed limit is 80 km/h on urban roads and 100 km/h on rural roads.
Morocco
- International Driving License is recognized.
- Morocco is a right-hand drive country.
- Morocco is a dry country. Thus, the maximum allowed drink drive limit is 0 mg per 100 ml of alcohol.
- The minimum age to drive is 18 and 25 to rent a car.
- The maximum allowed speed limit is 60 km/h on urban roads and 120 km/h on highways.
- Hands-free is a must.
- Seat belt is a must.
- There are no laws concerning child safety on the road. Thus, keep this in mind and make sure your child is safe and sound. Use appropriate child restraint systems or booster cushions.
- There are a lot of speed cameras in Morocco. Drivers usually warn each other by flashing their lights.
- Road signs in Morocco are written in both Arabic and French.
- Beware of animals on the road.
- Local drivers tend to tailgate. Thus, be careful.
Niger
- International Driving License is recognized.
- International Driving License is required.
- Niger drives on the right side of the road.
- The minimum age to drive in Niger is 23.
- The maximum permitted speed limit is 50 km/h in urban areas. There are no speed limits for driving on rural roads. There are also no speed limits for driving on highways.
- There is no drink drive limit in Nigeria. Thus, many drivers drive while intoxicated.
- There are no national laws on child safety on the road. Keep it in mind and make sure your child is safe and sound.
- You are prohibited to talk or text while driving.
- We don’t recommend you to visit Niger. Thus, many roads in the country are closed for the tourists.
- Avoid driving after dark.
- If you decide to rent a car, choose a four-wheel drive.
- Beware of potholes and landmines.
- Think twice before going to Niger since you risk being robbed or hijacked.
- Local drivers drive carelessly and regularly violate driving regulations.
Oman
- Not party to 1949 convention; International Driving License is honored.
- National driving licenses in English are valid for 90 days.
- Driving in Oman is on the right side of the road.
- Seat belt is a must.
- The maximum allowed speed limit is 40-80 km/h on urban roads, 90 km/h on rural roads and 120 km/h on highways.
- The minimum driving age in Oman is 18. The minimum rental age is 21.
- Hands-free kit is a must.
- Oman is a dry country. That means the maximum allowed drink drive limit is 0 mg per 100 ml of blood. Otherwise, you may be jailed or deported.
- There are no laws that regulate the use of child safety equipment. However, we recommend you not to transport children under the age of 12 in the front seat.
- The third-party insurance is a must.
- You are prohibited to throw garbage out of the window of your car.
- Keep in mind that when parking on the left side of the road at night you are prohibited to turn on the lights.
- You are prohibited to park your vehicle before public buildings such as palaces, gas stations, etc.
Qatar
- Not party to 1949 convention; International Driving License is honored.
- International Driving License is recommended. Temporary local licence may be obtained based on national driving licence, but this may be time consuming and more expensive.
- Driving in Qatar is on the right side of the road.
- The maximum allowed driving speed in Qatar is 60 km/h on urban roads, 100 km/h on rural roads and 120 km/h on highways.
- Seat belt is a must.
- The minimum age to drive is 18. The minimum rental age is 25.
- Hands-free is a must.
- According to the law of Qatar, you are prohibited to drink and drive. The maximum allowed drink drive limit is 0 mg per 100 ml of blood. Keep this in mind.
- Unfortunately, there are no laws regulating child safety on the road except for the prohibition to transport children under 12 in the front seat.
- If you decide to go to the desert, make sure you have deflated the tyres.
- You are obliged to carry a fire extinguisher and a first-aid kit.
- There are no toll roads in Qatar.
Sahrawi Republic
Saudi Arabia
- Not party to 1949 convention; International Driving License is honored.
- International Driving License is required. Also required for car hire.
- Saudi Arabia drives on the right side of the road.
- Seat belt is a must.
- The maximum allowed speed limit is 40-80 km/h in urban areas, 100-120 km/h in rural areas and 120-125 km/h on highways.
- The minimum driving age is 18. The minimum rental age is 21.
- Hands-free is obligatory.
- Drink driving is strictly forbidden in Saudi Arabia.
- According to Saudi Arabian law, children under 12 are to be transported in appropriate restraint systems or booster cushions.
- Road signs are written in Arabic and English.
- Do not park your car where it is prohibited.
- Starting from June 2018 women in Saudi Arabia will be allowed to drive.
Somalia
- Part of 1926 Convention on Motor Traffic.
- International Driving License is required.
- Somalia is a right-hand drive country.
- The maximum permitted urban speed limit is 40 km/h. The maximum allowed rural speed limit is 60 km/h.
- There is no drink-driving law in Somalia. Thus, you are prohibited to drink in Somalia.
- There is no national seat-belt law in Somalia. However, we always recommend you to buckle up.
- There is also no national law concerning the use of child restraints. However, you are prohibited to transport children in the front seat.
- We strongly recommend you not to visit Somalia. This country is a stronghold of terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
- Roads in Somalia are in poor condition. Beware of landmines.
Syria
- International Driving License is recognized.
- International Driving License is required.
- Driving in Syria is on the right side of the road.
- The minimum driving age is 18. If you want to rent a car, you should be at least 21.
- There are no toll roads in Syria.
- Seat belts are obligatory.
- Throwing garbage out of the windows is prohibited.
- Keep in mind that you are not allowed to play loud music when driving in populated areas of the city.
- You are to have a fire extinguisher as well as a first-aid kit in your car.
- Drink driving is prohibited in Syria.
- You are forbidden to transport children in the front seat.
- Don’t tailgate!
- Hands-free is a must.
- The maximum allowed speed limit is 40 km/h in urban areas and 100 km/h on highways.
Tunisia
- International Driving License is recognized.
- Driving licences that do not incorporate a photograph must be accompanied by an International Driving License.
- In Tunisia, transport drives on the right side of the road.
- The minimum driving age in Tunisia is 18 years.
- Drinking and driving in Tunisia is strictly forbidden. Thus, the allowed drink drive limit is 0 mg per 100 ml of blood.
- Seat belts is a must for both the driver and his passengers.
- Motorcyclists must wear helmets.
- You are not allowed to turn right on the red light.
- At non-regulated intersections, you must yield the way to the traffic from the right.
- Hands free is a must.
- Avoid driving at night far away from the popular resorts since motorcyclists neglect using reflectors or turning the lights on.
- Police officers may randomly stop the cars for inspection. In case of retention or arrest, you must contact the Embassy and inform of your location.
- In Tunisia, the traffic police often use speed radars, especially on highways.
- To rent a car in Tunisia, you must show a document that proves you are already 21. Moreover, your driving experience must be equal to at least one year.
United Arab Emirates
- International Driving License is required.
- The UAE drives on the right side of the road.
- Seat belt is a must.
- The minimum driving age in the UAE is 18 years. If you want to rent a car in the UAE, you must be at least 23.
- The maximum permitted speed limit is 50 km/h on urban roads, 80 km/h on extra-urban roads and 120 km/h on highways.
- Hands-free kit is a must.
- If you don’t want to get into a mess, avoid drinking and driving. Otherwise, you risk being put in jail.
- In the UAE you are prohibited to transport children under the age of 12 in the front seat if you have no appropriate rear-facing child seat. However, before using it make sure you have deactivated the airbag. For children under 12 sitting in the rear seat, use booster cushions or suitable restraint systems.
- The third-party insurance is a must.
- Be extremely careful while driving rural roads because there are a lot of camels and other animals that often obstruct the traffic.
- Strong language and too much gesturing can result in an arrest and imprisonment. You also risk being fined or even deported. Thus, don’t let your emotions dictate your actions! Keep calm and everything will be okay.
- Road signs in the United Arab Emirates are shown in Arabic in English.
Western Sahara
Yemen
- Not party to 1949 convention; International Driving License is honored.
- International Driving License is required.
- Yemen is a right-hand drive country.
- The minimum driving age in Yemen is 18. The minimum rental age is 21. You can also rent a car with a driver.
- You are prohibited to drink and drive in Yemen. This is a dry country. Thus, the maximum allowed alcohol limit is 0 mg per 100 ml of blood.
- There are no laws in Yemen that regulate the use of child restraints or seat belts. Thus, you are obliged to make sure your child is safe and sound.
- The maximum allowed speed is 100 km/h. However, local drivers always violate this rule.
- A four-wheel drive car is a must in Yemen since road conditions are awful.
- Avoid night driving.
- Beware of landmines.
- Seat belts are recommended.
