Destinations / Mongolia
Driving in Mongolia as a visitor
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Mongolia drives on the right and uses Cyrillic; an IDP is advised with your licence, and much of the country is trackless steppe best crossed by 4x4.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Mongolia 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 | 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 | 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 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?
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Mongolia drives on the right and uses Cyrillic; an IDP is advised with your licence, and much of the country is trackless steppe best crossed by 4x4.
Which translation format is used for Mongolia?
Mongolia 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 Mongolia ask for a translation?
Ulaanbaatar desks ask for an IDP with non-Cyrillic licences; 4x4 for off-road.
How fast can Vialy prepare one for Mongolia?
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.