Destinations / Belarus
Driving in Belarus as a visitor
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Belarus drives on the right under the 1968 Vienna Convention; an IDP is expected because domestic licences and road signs use Cyrillic.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Belarus 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 | 112 or 102 |
| Top speed limit | 110 km/h motorways |
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 BYN. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Alcohol | Zero-tolerance alcohol policy (0.0%). |
|---|---|
| Lights | Headlights on outside built-up areas. |
| Documents | Carry passport, IDP and home licence. |
On the road in Belarus
At the pump
Unleaded petrol (typically A-92, A-95, A-98) and diesel are widely sold by Belorusneft and Lukoil; stations are usually attendant-assisted (pay the cashier first), fuel is cheap by EU standards, and rural cards may be refused so carry cash (Belarusian rubles).
After a crash
Call 102 for police and 103 for ambulance (or 112). You must not move the vehicles and must wait for the traffic police (GAI) to attend and document the scene; a police report is effectively mandatory for any insurance or rental claim.
Sources: rac.co.uk · belarus.by · internationaldriversassociation.com · tyremap.com
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Belarus?
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Belarus drives on the right under the 1968 Vienna Convention; an IDP is expected because domestic licences and road signs use Cyrillic.
Which translation format is used for Belarus?
Belarus 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 Belarus ask for a translation?
Rental desks ask for an IDP for any non-Cyrillic licence.
How fast can Vialy prepare one for Belarus?
The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay, 30 minutes as standard and 5 with Express.
Also in Europe
Driving on to another country on the same trip? Each page states what that destination expects.