Destinations / Macau
Driving in Macau as a visitor
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Macau drives on the left and accepts the IDP for short visits; tourists should carry one, though the territory is small and best explored on foot.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Macau expects
| Driving document | Depends on licence issuer, script and rental policy |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1968 Vienna |
| Valid for | Up to 3 years |
| Drives on the | Left |
| Emergency number | 999 |
| Top speed limit | 80 km/h bridges and the Sai Van corridor |
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 MOP. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Seatbelts | Seatbelts mandatory. |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Strict drink-driving penalties. |
| Local practice | Narrow, congested streets. |
On the road in Macau
At the pump
Petrol stations on the peninsula and in Taipa/Coloane sell unleaded petrol and diesel and are attendant-served; fuel runs roughly MOP$12-16 per litre and cards plus the local MacauPass are widely accepted.
After a crash
Dial 999 (also 110 or 112) for police and ambulance; for any injury or disputed-fault collision leave the vehicles in place and wait for the police to attend and produce a report, which the rental company and insurer will require.
Sources: internationaldriversassociation.com · expat.com · macaulifestyle.com · idaoffice.org
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Macau?
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Macau drives on the left and accepts the IDP for short visits; tourists should carry one, though the territory is small and best explored on foot.
Which translation format is used for Macau?
Macau 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 Macau ask for a translation?
Self-drive rental is limited; an IDP is expected where available.
How fast can Vialy prepare one for Macau?
The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay, 30 minutes as standard and 5 with Express.
Also in Asia
Driving on to another country on the same trip? Each page states what that destination expects.