Destinations / Jordan
Driving in Jordan as a visitor
Usually yes. Jordan 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 Jordan expects
| Permit needed | Expected |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1949 Geneva |
| Valid for | 1 year |
| Drives on the | Right |
| Emergency number | 911 |
| Top speed limit | 120 km/h on the Desert Highway |
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 | 1949 Geneva |
| 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 JOD. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Seatbelts | Seatbelts mandatory. |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Zero-tolerance alcohol for driving. |
| Speed | Desert Highway speed cameras are common. |
On the road in Jordan
At the pump
Stations sell unleaded 90- and 95-octane petrol plus diesel, are attendant-served, and 90-octane is the standard grade; expect roughly 0.90-1.00 JOD/litre for 90 and more for 95 (about USD 1.60-1.90/litre), with cards widely accepted in cities.
After a crash
Call police on 911 and remain at the scene; a police report is mandatory for any insurance claim and for the rental company, and vehicles should not be moved until police authorise it.
Sources: remitly.com · europcar.com · saltinourhair.com · globalpetrolprices.com
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Jordan?
Usually yes. Jordan 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 Jordan accept?
Jordan recognises the 1949 Geneva format. Your permit is prepared in that format.
Will a rental desk in Jordan ask for one?
Amman and airport desks request an IDP for non-Latin-script 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.