Driving Permit for Azerbaijan
Driving in Azerbaijan? You need a 1968-convention IDP with your foreign licence. Learn the road rules, the zero-alcohol limit, rental requirements and how to get your IDP before you go.
- Drive on
- Right
- Convention
- 1968 Vienna
- IDP validity
- 1 month
- Processing time
- 24-48 hours
Do you need an IDP to drive in Azerbaijan?
Azerbaijan is a contracting party to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, and foreign visitors are expected to carry an International Driving Permit alongside their original national licence. The UK government's official IDP country list specifies the 1968-convention permit for Azerbaijan, and Canadian government travel advice likewise tells drivers to carry an IDP with their licence, insurance and registration. Arrange your IDP before you travel — it must be issued in your home country and cannot be obtained once you arrive.
Traffic drives on the right, and Azerbaijan goes a step further than most right-hand-traffic countries: right-hand-drive vehicles are illegal, so every car on the road — rentals included — is left-hand drive. At the rental desk in Baku, expect to present your passport and original licence, and keep the IDP with you whenever you drive. Police traffic stops are common, and officers routinely ask for the full document set: licence, IDP, proof of insurance and vehicle registration.
Azerbaijan enforces a zero-tolerance drink-driving policy — any alcohol in your system can mean a severe fine and possibly imprisonment. Vehicles must carry a first aid kit and a roadworthiness (check-up) card, and a flashing amber traffic light means proceed with caution. Highways and major Baku roads are generally well maintained, but lighting and signage deteriorate outside the capital, where pedestrians and livestock share rural roads, and local driving can be erratic. If you stay longer than about a month, plan to convert to an Azerbaijani licence through an ASAN service centre.
Azerbaijan recognises the IDP under the 1968 Vienna Convention.
Azerbaijan is a signatory to the 1968 Vienna Convention. In practice, an IDP issued by another signatory country is recognised for your permitted visitor stay — in Azerbaijan, plan on 1 month.
What you need to drive in Azerbaijan
Have these ready before you pick up the keys.
Original national driving licence, carried in the car at all times
1968-convention International Driving Permit alongside your licence
Proof of insurance and vehicle registration kept in the vehicle
First aid kit and vehicle roadworthiness card required in the car
Right-hand-drive vehicles are banned in Azerbaijan — every car, including rentals, is left-hand drive
Drink-driving is zero-tolerance: any detectable alcohol can bring a severe fine and possible prison sentence
Cars must carry a first aid kit and a check-up card proving the vehicle is roadworthy
A flashing amber traffic light in Azerbaijan means proceed with caution
Roads outside Baku often have poor lighting and signage, with livestock and pedestrians on rural routes
UK and Canadian government advice both indicate that after about one month you should convert to an Azerbaijani licence
What to know before you turn the key
Azerbaijan drives on the right — the driver sits on the left, and roundabouts flow anti-clockwise.
Carry your IDP and your original license together — rental desks and police checks will ask for both documents.
Right-hand-drive vehicles are illegal in Azerbaijan, so all rental cars are left-hand drive
Police traffic stops are common — keep licence, IDP, insurance and registration within reach
After about one month of driving, you are expected to convert to an Azerbaijani licence via ASAN service centres
Drink-driving is a serious offence with zero tolerance — any alcohol detected can result in a severe fine and possibly a prison sentence. Police stops are frequent, and driving without your licence, IDP or required vehicle documents can lead to fines; authoritative sources do not publish fixed fine amounts, so expect on-the-spot enforcement to vary.
Local rules to watch in Azerbaijan
Low-emission zones, tolls, and city-specific rules that catch visiting drivers out.
Baku: highways and major city roads are well maintained, but traffic is heavy and driving styles are erratic — drive defensively
Outside Baku: expect insufficient lighting and signage, unmarked road closures, and livestock on rural roads
Mountain and winter routes: carry cold-weather supplies (blanket, shovel, torch, food) when driving in winter conditions
Signs you'll meet on the road
Eight internationally recognised signs — including which side of the road Azerbaijan keeps.
Common questions about driving in Azerbaijan
Drive Azerbaijan, confidently.
Apply online in minutes and get instant digital access to your IDP translation — with an IDP PVC card option if you want one in your wallet.