Destinations / Algeria
Driving in Algeria as a visitor
Usually yes. Algeria expects visiting drivers to carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence, and rental desks ask for one. It matters most when your licence is not printed in the Latin alphabet.
Standard delivery included. Need it sooner? Express lands by for $25 more.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Algeria expects
| Permit needed | Expected |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1968 Vienna |
| Valid for | Up to 3 years |
| Drives on the | Right |
| Emergency number | 17 (police), 14 (ambulance) |
| Top speed limit | 120 km/h autoroutes |
What the rental desk will ask you for
| Your own licence | The original card. A photo of it, or a photocopy, gets turned away. |
|---|---|
| Licence translation | Expected. Hand it over with the licence, never instead of it. |
| Booklet format they know | 1968 Vienna |
| Minimum age | 18. Under 25 usually pays a young-driver surcharge. |
| Deposit | A credit card in the driver's name. The hold is taken in DZD. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Alcohol | Zero alcohol tolerance for driving. |
|---|---|
| Local practice | Checkpoints common between cities. |
| Documents | Carry passport, IDP and home licence. |
On the road in Algeria
At the pump
Fuel is among the cheapest in the world: petrol (essence) around 47 DA (about USD 0.36) and diesel (gasoil) around 31 DA (about USD 0.25) per litre, sold mainly through state operator Naftal. Stations are common in cities but sparse in the south, so plan refuelling and carry cash, as card acceptance is unreliable.
After a crash
Stop, do not move the vehicles, and call police on 17 (or 1548) in towns or the Gendarmerie on 1055 on rural roads; the unified mobile emergency number is 112. Photograph the scene and obtain a police report (constat) for your insurer or rental company before vehicles are moved.
Sources: gov.uk · rhinocarhire.com · globalpetrolprices.com · dzair-tube.dz
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Algeria?
Usually yes. Algeria expects visiting drivers to carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence, and rental desks ask for one. It matters most when your licence is not printed in the Latin alphabet.
Which IDP format does Algeria accept?
Algeria recognises the 1968 Vienna format. Your permit is prepared in that format.
Will a rental desk in Algeria ask for one?
Algiers desks request an IDP for non-Arabic, non-French licences.
How fast can you get one?
Express orders are emailed within 5 minutes. The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay and the order is refundable for 30 days.