Driving Permit for Jordan
Driving in Jordan: traffic keeps right and visitors should carry an IDP (1949 convention) with their home licence. Rules, rental requirements, speed limits and safety tips for tourists.
- Drive on
- Right
- Convention
- 1949 Geneva
- IDP validity
- Varies
- Processing time
- 24-48 hours
Do you need an IDP to drive in Jordan?
Jordan drives on the right, and it recognises the International Driving Permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, which it joined in 1960. Because Jordan is not a party to the 1968 Vienna Convention, the 1949-format IDP is the correct document to carry. Bring your original national licence and the IDP together: the UK government instructs its licence holders to keep both documents in the vehicle, and Canadian government advice likewise recommends an IDP for anyone driving in the country.
At the rental desk, practice is a little looser than the letter of the law: major agencies will generally hand over the keys on a valid foreign licence, and Canadian advice notes that visitors may drive rental cars on their home licence or an IDP. Pairing the two is still the safe play — traffic police issue on-the-spot fines, and an IDP settles any language question if your licence is not printed in Arabic or English.
A few local rules stand out. Front-seat occupants must wear seatbelts, handheld phone use while driving is banned, and every car must carry a fire extinguisher and warning triangle. Speed limits run from 40 km/h in some urban areas to 120 km/h on some highways. Jordan takes a zero-tolerance line on drinking and driving, and if an accident injures a pedestrian the driver is generally presumed at fault. Avoid driving unlit roads at night — stray animals and broken-down vehicles are common hazards — and stay at any accident scene until police take a statement.
Jordan recognises the IDP under the 1949 Geneva Convention.
Jordan is a signatory to the 1949 Geneva Convention. In practice, an IDP issued by another signatory country is recognised for your permitted visitor stay.
What you need to drive in Jordan
Have these ready before you pick up the keys.
Original driving licence from your home country, carried in the vehicle at all times
International Driving Permit (1949-convention format) — required for some nationalities (e.g. UK licence holders per FCDO) and recommended for all
Fire extinguisher and warning triangle must be carried in every vehicle
Valid motor insurance (rental cars include compulsory third-party cover; confirm what your agreement adds)
Jordan acceded to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic on 14 January 1960 and is not listed as a party to the 1968 Vienna Convention, so the 1949-format IDP is the correct version (UN Treaty Collection).
Every vehicle must carry a fire extinguisher and a warning triangle by law (UK FCDO).
Speed limits range from about 40 km/h in some urban areas to 120 km/h on some highways (UK FCDO).
Jordan has a zero-tolerance policy on drinking and driving; police can immediately confiscate the licence of a suspected drink-driver (Government of Canada).
If a road accident injures a pedestrian, the driver is generally held at fault regardless of circumstances, with heavy fines and possible imprisonment (Government of Canada).
Night driving is discouraged: unlit roads, stray animals, broken-down vehicles and unmarked roadworks are recurring hazards, and winter snow can block mountain roads (UK FCDO).
What to know before you turn the key
Jordan 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.
Rental reality: major agencies will generally rent on a valid foreign licence, but Canadian government advice recommends carrying an IDP as well — it settles language questions at police checks and in insurance claims.
Jordan applies zero tolerance to drinking and driving; a suspected driver's licence can be confiscated on the spot.
If you have an accident, do not leave the scene before police arrive and take a statement — the emergency number is 911.
Traffic police issue on-the-spot fines of roughly 15–150 Jordanian dinars for violations such as speeding, handheld phone use or missing seatbelts (UK FCDO). Drink-driving is treated with zero tolerance: immediate licence confiscation, heavy fines and possible imprisonment. Leaving an accident scene before police take a statement is itself an offence, and a driver who injures a pedestrian is generally presumed at fault.
Local rules to watch in Jordan
Low-emission zones, tolls, and city-specific rules that catch visiting drivers out.
Amman: expect heavy traffic and assertive local driving — allow extra time, drive defensively, and be alert for drivers ignoring lane discipline.
Desert Highway (Amman–Aqaba): a fast intercity route where fatal accidents have occurred; watch your speed and avoid driving it after dark (UK FCDO).
Wadi Rum and other desert areas: avoid off-road driving unless travelling in a convoy with experienced guides (Government of Canada).
Signs you'll meet on the road
Eight internationally recognised signs — including which side of the road Jordan keeps.
Common questions about driving in Jordan
Drive Jordan, confidently.
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