Destinations / Ecuador
Driving in Ecuador as a visitor
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Ecuador drives on the right and signs the 1968 Vienna Convention; an IDP is advised with your licence for Andean and coastal driving.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Ecuador 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 | 911 |
| Top speed limit | 100 km/h straight highway sections |
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 USD. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Local practice | Pico y placa plate restrictions in Quito. |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | 0.03% alcohol limit. |
| Roads | Steep Andean roads with switchbacks. |
On the road in Ecuador
At the pump
Stations sell Extra and Ecopais regular petrol (~USD 3.31/gal as of June 2026), Super premium (over USD 5.60/gal) and Diesel (~USD 3.25/gal); prices are in USD and are adjusted monthly under a subsidy-reform band.
After a crash
Call 911 (the national ECU 911 emergency line) for police and ambulance; leave vehicles in place and wait for the transit authority, as an official report is needed for insurance, and do not admit fault on the spot.
Sources: fastidp.com · en.wikipedia.org · primicias.ec · expatecuador.com
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Ecuador?
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Ecuador drives on the right and signs the 1968 Vienna Convention; an IDP is advised with your licence for Andean and coastal driving.
Which translation format is used for Ecuador?
Ecuador 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 Ecuador ask for a translation?
Quito and Guayaquil desks request an IDP for non-Latin-script licences.
How fast can Vialy prepare one for Ecuador?
The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay, 30 minutes as standard and 5 with Express.
Also in South America
Driving on to another country on the same trip? Each page states what that destination expects.