How to get an IDP to drive in Ethiopia
Fast online process
Approved by the UN
A secure way to drive in 150+ countries
What am I getting?
What am I getting?
International Driving Permit (IDP), regulated by the United Nations, certifies that you are the holder of a valid driver's license in your country of origin.
Your IDP is a valid form of identification in more than 150 countries worldwide. It contains your name, photo, and driver information in the 12 most widely spoken languages in the world.
Required by car rental agencies worldwide
You must be 18 years or older to apply
No test is required
How to get your IDP
Fill in the forms
Have your driver’s license and delivery address handy
Verify your ID
Upload pictures of your driver's license
Get approved
Wait for confirmation and you’re ready to go!
Driving Rules in Ethiopia
Ethiopia is recognized as the cradle of humanity. Discover beautiful landscapes, ancient religious sites, and fantastic scenery. Drive your own car to get from one destination to another. Check these traffic reminders to make your stay even better.
Important Reminders:
- Drive on the right side of the road.
- The minimum driving age is 18 years old.
- Seatbelts are a must for everyone.
- Hands-free is a must. Take your phone away unless hands-free.
- Drink responsibly. There is no alcohol level limit.
- The speed limit is 30 km/h in urban places and 100 km/h in rural areas.
- Honking is encouraged.
- Avoid driving at night.
- Ethiopia has the highest road death in the world. Be extremely cautious when driving.
Driving in the Winter
Ethiopia is an African country, so there is no winter here. Avoid traveling during the rainy season from December to February. Keep your emergency kits handy at all times. Plan your trip accordingly.
Keep safe and enjoy your adventure!
How do I get an international driving permit (IDP) for Ethiopia?
Before hopping onto applying for an International Driving Permit (IDP) for the country, you must know what an International Driver’s Permit is. The IDP is a highly recommended document for every foreign driver in the country, regardless of whether our valid driver’s license being in English. It translates your driving licence into 12 of the widely used languages worldwide.
One of the reasons behind this is that not all citizens or Ethiopian road traffic authorities in the country are well-versed in English. The same thing applies to car rental companies. Your IDP will serve as an additional document to support our driver’s license as our rent a motor vehicle in another country. Do note that regardless of the presence of an IDP, if the country or the car rental company requires specific minimum years of age for renters, you won’t be eligible to drive through road traffic if you’re below the minimum.
However, if you plan on driving in the country for more than three months or as a permanent resident, issuing an Ethiopian driver’s license will be necessary. Therefore, you will need to prepare your residence permit, take a driving test, and provide the other required documents indicated by the transport authority.
How do I get an international driver’s license?
There is no such thing as an International Driver’s License. Please be informed that the right document used for foreigners to drive in another foreign country is an IDP.
To get your IDP, you only need to follow these steps.
- Fill up the application form which you’ll see after clicking the “Start My Application” button in the upper right corner of this page.
- Attach photocopies or a photocopy of your valid driver’s license, and passport-sized photo.
- Pay the IDP fee.
- And wait in 30 days or less for your IDP to arrive.
Ready to check if an IDP is required in your destination?
Use the form and find out in seconds whether you need an international permit. Documents vary, based on the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic.
Question 1 of 3
Where was your license issued?