Driving Permit for Lebanon

Lebanon drives on the right, and foreign visitors are expected to carry an International Driving Permit alongside their home licence. Lebanon recognises the IDP under the 1968 convention: the UK Foreign Office specifies that only the 1968 permit is valid there, noting "The 1949 IDP is not accepted anymore", while the Government of Canada states plainly that you must carry an IDP to drive in the country. Because an IDP generally cannot be issued once you have left your home country, arrange yours before you fly into Beirut.

At the rental desk, agencies will want your original licence and passport, and usually a credit card; some Beirut firms will hand over keys on a recognisable foreign licence alone, but the IDP is the documented standard — and it matters beyond the counter. The Lebanese army operates checkpoints on both major and minor roads, and you are expected to stop and show your papers, so keep your passport, licence, IDP and the car's registration and insurance documents with you whenever you drive. Also check that your travel and rental insurance is explicitly valid for driving in Lebanon.

Conditions on the road are the bigger adjustment. Driving standards are poor, the accident rate is high, and traffic lights are often switched off or simply ignored — power cuts can black out signals even at major Beirut intersections. Road lighting is unreliable in urban areas and nearly absent in rural ones, so plan journeys for daylight and avoid driving outside towns after dark. Seat belts are mandatory where fitted and private diesel-engined vehicles are banned. If you are not a confident driver, hiring a car with a driver is a common and reasonably priced alternative to self-driving.