Destinations / Jordan
Driving in Jordan as a visitor
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Jordan drives on the right and accepts the 1949 Geneva IDP; tourists should carry it with their national licence to rent and drive.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Jordan expects
| Driving document | Depends on licence issuer, script and rental policy |
|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | 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?
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Jordan drives on the right and accepts the 1949 Geneva IDP; tourists should carry it with their national licence to rent and drive.
Which translation format is used for Jordan?
Jordan uses the 1949 Geneva convention format. A Vialy translation is prepared in that format but is not a government-issued permit.
Will a rental desk in Jordan ask for a translation?
Amman and airport desks request an IDP for non-Latin-script licences.
How fast can Vialy prepare one for Jordan?
The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay, 30 minutes as standard and 5 with Express.
Also in Middle East
Driving on to another country on the same trip? Each page states what that destination expects.