Destinations / Mongolia
Driving in Mongolia as a visitor
Usually yes. Mongolia 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 Mongolia expects
| Permit needed | Expected |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1968 Vienna |
| Valid for | Up to 3 years |
| Drives on the | Right |
| Emergency number | 102 (police), 103 (ambulance) |
| Top speed limit | 80–100 km/h highways |
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 | 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 MNT. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Alcohol | Zero-tolerance alcohol policy. |
|---|---|
| Roads | Few paved roads outside the capital. |
| Documents | Carry passport, IDP and home licence. |
On the road in Mongolia
At the pump
Petrol is sold by octane grade - A-80, A-92 and A-95 - plus diesel; A-95 was around 4,000 tugrik/litre in 2026. Stations are attended; outside Ulaanbaatar they can be 200+ km apart and may accept only cash, so carry small tugrik notes and always top up.
After a crash
Dial 102 for police and 103 for ambulance (the unified 112 is being rolled out). Report any accident to police and leave the vehicles in place until officers arrive, as a police report is needed for insurance and to leave the country.
Sources: internationaldriversassociation.com · travel.state.gov · travelchinaguide.com · globalpetrolprices.com
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Mongolia?
Usually yes. Mongolia 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 Mongolia accept?
Mongolia recognises the 1968 Vienna format. Your permit is prepared in that format.
Will a rental desk in Mongolia ask for one?
Ulaanbaatar desks ask for an IDP with non-Cyrillic licences; 4x4 for off-road.
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.