Destinations / Algeria
Driving in Algeria as a visitor
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Algeria drives on the right and signs the 1968 Vienna Convention; an IDP is advised to translate non-Arabic licences for desks and checkpoints.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Algeria expects
| Driving document | Depends on licence issuer, script and rental policy |
|---|---|
| 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 | Check the desk policy for your issuing country and licence script. A translation accompanies the licence and never replaces an official permit. |
| 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?
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Algeria drives on the right and signs the 1968 Vienna Convention; an IDP is advised to translate non-Arabic licences for desks and checkpoints.
Which translation format is used for Algeria?
Algeria uses the 1968 Vienna convention format. A Vialy translation is prepared in that format but is not a government-issued permit.
Will a rental desk in Algeria ask for a translation?
Algiers desks request an IDP for non-Arabic, non-French licences.
How fast can Vialy prepare one for Algeria?
The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay, 30 minutes as standard and 5 with Express.
Also in Africa
Driving on to another country on the same trip? Each page states what that destination expects.