Get your International Driving Permit for Vatican City in 8 minutes

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Does Vatican City require an International Driving Permit?

Original license
Always required
Format accepted
Printed & digital
Issuer matters
Verify authority recognition
Valid from entry
Up to 3 years

Vatican City allows foreign nationals to drive for up to one year from entry with a recognized International Driving Permit alongside their valid domestic license. Issuing authority recognition matters here, confirm yours is accepted before driving.

Driver type Requirement Notes
Tourist / short-term visitor Required in most cases Carry original license at all times
Rental car driver Commonly required Verify issuing authority with your rental company
Long-term foreign resident Different rules apply After 1 year, a local license may be needed
Mutually recognized license holder May be exempt Depends on home country agreement

Also traveling to other countries? An International Drivers Association International Driving Permit is widely recognized across many destinations worldwide and can make rental pickups, police checks, and border crossings smoother throughout the rest of your trip.

What are the requirements to get an International Driving Permit in Vatican City?

Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements and have the following documents ready before you start.

Documents needed

All it takes is what’s already in your wallet

  • Valid domestic driver’s license
  • Passport-style photo
  • Valid government-issued ID
  • Completed online application

Eligibility

You must meet every condition below

  • 18 years or older
  • Valid home country license
  • License not suspended
  • Applicable from home or abroad

How do I get an international driving permit in Vatican City?

If your local driving license is not on English, you will need to get international driver’s license. Getting an international driver’s permit is simple. You can apply in a road transport agency or online. Applying online is simpler since you only need to fill out the online application form, upload two passport size photographs, and submit the digital copy of your driver’s license issued from your home country. Keep in mind that International Driving Permit is only a translation of your local driving license. In this case it International Driving Permit will translate your local license to Italian.

Our International Driving License is recognized in 165+ countries worldwide which are:

Albania

Algeria
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belgium
Benin
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Canada
Cape Verde
Croatia
Chile
Congo
Cyprus
Cuba
Egypt
Estonia
Georgia
Ghana
Greece
Guatemala
France
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Iran
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Laos
Lebanon
Malaysia
Monaco
New Zealand
Netherlands
Norway
Portugal
Philippines
Saudi Arabia

Spain
Sri Lanka
Romania

Switzerland

Taiwan
Tobago
Tunisia
United Kingdom
United Arab Emirates

and more.

Top Destinations in Vatican City

Millions of people, especially Catholic devotees from all over the world, travel to this place just to see and strengthen their faiths by experiencing Vatican city. It is also recognized as the world’s smallest country. Because of that, traveling inside the country using vehicles won’t really be necessary unless you are going on an important business trip.

It may be the smallest among the countries worldwide, but never underestimate its history of art, culture, and religion. Those are the very reasons why people worldwide will never miss the chance to go there.

St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the main attractions and a place where Christian Catholic devotees visit because this is the actual place where St. Peter the Apostle, the first Bishop of Rome or first Pope, was buried. A church already existed on this site ever since the reign of Constantine the Great. The suspected grave of St. Peter the Apostle can be found on the underground of the church.

It is marked with a shrine, and if you are interested enough to see it, some tours can guide you with that. This magnificent Church was built between the 16th to 18th centuries, and on the inside, you’ll see the works of various great artists that ever lived on this planet.

From the moment you step inside, the arts of several known artists will come greeting you. Artists like Michelangelo, Bramante, Peruzzi, and Raphael helped shape the great architectural plan of the St. Peter’s Basilica.

Driving Directions:

  • From Vatican City Entry, head east on Via Sant'Anna toward Borgo Pio.
  • Continue onto Borgo Pio and turn left onto Via del Mascherino.
  • Turn right onto Via Stefano Porcari, then continue onto Via Giovanni Vitelleschi/Piazza Americo Capponi.
  • Head to Via delle Fosse di Castello and continue onto Piazza Adriana..
  • Continue onto Piazza Pia, then Turn right onto Via della Conciliazione.
  • Park your car on a parking space and head west on Via della Conciliazione toward Via dell'Erba by foot.
  • Continue onto Piazza Papa Pio XII and head onto Largo degli Alicorni.
  • Enter the Vatican City and walk towards the St. Patrick’s Basilica.

Piazza San Pietro (St. Peter's Square)

The plaza in front of St. Peter’s Basilica is the Piazza San Pietro or the St. Peter’s Square. It was built by Bernini between 1657-1667 and is one of the biggest and most beautiful squares in the world. It has the size of 320 meters long and 240 meters wide and can hold more than 300,000 people.

In the square, you’ll see the majestic Egyptian Obelisk. It is 25 meters in height, and it was brought over to Rome by Caligula in 37 BC. It used to mark the epicenter of games and executions that would become known as the Circus of Nero. Another amazing thing you can see there are its 284 columns and 88 pilasters.

Above the columns are 140 statues of saints created in 1670 by the disciples of Bernini. The main reason people go to the square is to see its history and have a glimpse of the pope himself, which holds the audience every Wednesday.

Driving Directions:

  • From Vatican City Entry, head east on Via Sant'Anna toward Borgo Pio.
  • Continue onto Borgo Pio and turn left onto Via del Mascherino.
  • Turn right at the 1st cross street onto Borgo Vittorio.
  • Make a right at the 1st cross street onto Via del Falco and continue onto Vicolo del Farinone
  • Turn right onto Via dei Corridori. Park your car in a parking space.
  • Head west on Via dei Corridori toward Via Rusticucci by foot, then continue onto Largo del Colonnato.
  • Turn left to stay on Largo del Colonnato and enter Vatican City.
  • After 61 m, Turn right, and you’ll reach St. Peter’s Square.

Vatican Museums

One of the highlights during your trip to the Vatican would be the vatican museums. If you are a person who loves hearing stories about history, the arts that are aligned with it, and its significance in Christianity today, you will surely fall in love with this place! Many museums in highlight different works of art made from different known artists who made significant art and Christian history that we know today.

All in all, there are 54 museums. With that being said, the Vatican museum has the most extensive collection of arts globally. How amazing is that? That’s why artists all over the world have Vatican City at the top of their go-to destinations. October and November will be the best months for visit, especially if you want to avoid the crowds.

Make sure to visit on Tuesday or Thursday. Wednesdays are for people who want to see the pope, and this will make the museums so crowded. So, if you want to enjoy the museums with less crowd, avoid traveling on a Wednesday.

Driving Directions:

  • From the Vatican City entry, Head east on Via Sant'Anna toward Borgo Pio.
  • Continue onto Borgo Pio and turn left onto Via del Mascherino.
  • Then continue onto Piazza del Risorgimento, then turn left to stay on Piazza del Risorgimento.
  • Turn right onto Viale dei Bastioni di Michelangelo and turn left onto Viale Vaticano.
  • Your destination will be on the left.

Sistine Chapel

The Sistine chapel is the pope’s domestic chapel and is also used for services and special events. The walls of this chapel will surely amaze you, for it is full of 15th-century paintings of different Biblical scenes, mainly made by Michaelangelo. Many Catholic believers and Art enthusiasts will not want to miss seeing this great masterpiece of history.

Driving Directions:

  • From Vatican City Entry, Head east on Via Sant'Anna toward Borgo Pio.
  • Continue onto Borgo Pio and Turn left onto Via del Mascherino.
  • Continue onto Piazza del Risorgimento, then turn left to stay on Piazza del Risorgimento.
  • Turn right onto Viale dei Bastioni di Michelangelo and turn left onto Viale Vaticano.
  • Then turn right onto Via Santamaura, then park your car in a parking space.
  • Enter the Vatican Museums and pass by Musei Vaticani, Bracchio Nuovo, and head onto the Sistine Chapel.

Most Important Rules of Driving

As noted earlier, only those with crucial business in the country are allowed to drive within Vatican City according to the driving rules in Vatican City.

Speed Limit

Drivers must respect speed limits inside or outside of Vatican City, where you’ll be driving. Outside, speed limits for cars should be limited to 50 km/h, especially with its small roads.

Inside the Vatican City, where only officials and important people with business from other countries are allowed to drive, the speed limit is 30 kph.

Wear your seatbelts all the time

Yes, seatbelts should be worn all the time, not just by you, the driver, but also everyone inside the car, whether he/she is on the front or on the backseat. Failure to follow this law can give you a fine.

How do I get an international driving permit in Vatican City?

If your local driving license is not on English, you will need to get international driver’s license. Getting an international driver’s permit is simple. You can apply in a road transport agency or online. Applying online is simpler since you only need to fill out the online application form, upload two passport size photographs, and submit the digital copy of your driver’s license issued from your home country. Keep in mind that International Driving Permit is only a translation of your local driving license. In this case it International Driving Permit will translate your local license to Italian.

Our International Driving License is recognized in 165+ countries worldwide which are:

Albania

Algeria
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belgium
Benin
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Canada
Cape Verde
Croatia
Chile
Congo
Cyprus
Cuba
Egypt
Estonia
Georgia
Ghana
Greece
Guatemala
France
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Iran
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Laos
Lebanon
Malaysia
Monaco
New Zealand
Netherlands
Norway
Portugal
Philippines
Saudi Arabia

Spain
Sri Lanka
Romania

Switzerland

Taiwan
Tobago
Tunisia
United Kingdom
United Arab Emirates

and more.

Top Destinations in Vatican City

Millions of people, especially Catholic devotees from all over the world, travel to this place just to see and strengthen their faiths by experiencing Vatican city. It is also recognized as the world’s smallest country. Because of that, traveling inside the country using vehicles won’t really be necessary unless you are going on an important business trip.

It may be the smallest among the countries worldwide, but never underestimate its history of art, culture, and religion. Those are the very reasons why people worldwide will never miss the chance to go there.

St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the main attractions and a place where Christian Catholic devotees visit because this is the actual place where St. Peter the Apostle, the first Bishop of Rome or first Pope, was buried. A church already existed on this site ever since the reign of Constantine the Great. The suspected grave of St. Peter the Apostle can be found on the underground of the church.

It is marked with a shrine, and if you are interested enough to see it, some tours can guide you with that. This magnificent Church was built between the 16th to 18th centuries, and on the inside, you’ll see the works of various great artists that ever lived on this planet.

From the moment you step inside, the arts of several known artists will come greeting you. Artists like Michelangelo, Bramante, Peruzzi, and Raphael helped shape the great architectural plan of the St. Peter’s Basilica.

Driving Directions:

  • From Vatican City Entry, head east on Via Sant'Anna toward Borgo Pio.
  • Continue onto Borgo Pio and turn left onto Via del Mascherino.
  • Turn right onto Via Stefano Porcari, then continue onto Via Giovanni Vitelleschi/Piazza Americo Capponi.
  • Head to Via delle Fosse di Castello and continue onto Piazza Adriana..
  • Continue onto Piazza Pia, then Turn right onto Via della Conciliazione.
  • Park your car on a parking space and head west on Via della Conciliazione toward Via dell'Erba by foot.
  • Continue onto Piazza Papa Pio XII and head onto Largo degli Alicorni.
  • Enter the Vatican City and walk towards the St. Patrick’s Basilica.

Piazza San Pietro (St. Peter's Square)

The plaza in front of St. Peter’s Basilica is the Piazza San Pietro or the St. Peter’s Square. It was built by Bernini between 1657-1667 and is one of the biggest and most beautiful squares in the world. It has the size of 320 meters long and 240 meters wide and can hold more than 300,000 people.

In the square, you’ll see the majestic Egyptian Obelisk. It is 25 meters in height, and it was brought over to Rome by Caligula in 37 BC. It used to mark the epicenter of games and executions that would become known as the Circus of Nero. Another amazing thing you can see there are its 284 columns and 88 pilasters.

Above the columns are 140 statues of saints created in 1670 by the disciples of Bernini. The main reason people go to the square is to see its history and have a glimpse of the pope himself, which holds the audience every Wednesday.

Driving Directions:

  • From Vatican City Entry, head east on Via Sant'Anna toward Borgo Pio.
  • Continue onto Borgo Pio and turn left onto Via del Mascherino.
  • Turn right at the 1st cross street onto Borgo Vittorio.
  • Make a right at the 1st cross street onto Via del Falco and continue onto Vicolo del Farinone
  • Turn right onto Via dei Corridori. Park your car in a parking space.
  • Head west on Via dei Corridori toward Via Rusticucci by foot, then continue onto Largo del Colonnato.
  • Turn left to stay on Largo del Colonnato and enter Vatican City.
  • After 61 m, Turn right, and you’ll reach St. Peter’s Square.

Vatican Museums

One of the highlights during your trip to the Vatican would be the vatican museums. If you are a person who loves hearing stories about history, the arts that are aligned with it, and its significance in Christianity today, you will surely fall in love with this place! Many museums in highlight different works of art made from different known artists who made significant art and Christian history that we know today.

All in all, there are 54 museums. With that being said, the Vatican museum has the most extensive collection of arts globally. How amazing is that? That’s why artists all over the world have Vatican City at the top of their go-to destinations. October and November will be the best months for visit, especially if you want to avoid the crowds.

Make sure to visit on Tuesday or Thursday. Wednesdays are for people who want to see the pope, and this will make the museums so crowded. So, if you want to enjoy the museums with less crowd, avoid traveling on a Wednesday.

Driving Directions:

  • From the Vatican City entry, Head east on Via Sant'Anna toward Borgo Pio.
  • Continue onto Borgo Pio and turn left onto Via del Mascherino.
  • Then continue onto Piazza del Risorgimento, then turn left to stay on Piazza del Risorgimento.
  • Turn right onto Viale dei Bastioni di Michelangelo and turn left onto Viale Vaticano.
  • Your destination will be on the left.

Sistine Chapel

The Sistine chapel is the pope’s domestic chapel and is also used for services and special events. The walls of this chapel will surely amaze you, for it is full of 15th-century paintings of different Biblical scenes, mainly made by Michaelangelo. Many Catholic believers and Art enthusiasts will not want to miss seeing this great masterpiece of history.

Driving Directions:

  • From Vatican City Entry, Head east on Via Sant'Anna toward Borgo Pio.
  • Continue onto Borgo Pio and Turn left onto Via del Mascherino.
  • Continue onto Piazza del Risorgimento, then turn left to stay on Piazza del Risorgimento.
  • Turn right onto Viale dei Bastioni di Michelangelo and turn left onto Viale Vaticano.
  • Then turn right onto Via Santamaura, then park your car in a parking space.
  • Enter the Vatican Museums and pass by Musei Vaticani, Bracchio Nuovo, and head onto the Sistine Chapel.

Most Important Rules of Driving

As noted earlier, only those with crucial business in the country are allowed to drive within Vatican City according to the driving rules in Vatican City.

Speed Limit

Drivers must respect speed limits inside or outside of Vatican City, where you’ll be driving. Outside, speed limits for cars should be limited to 50 km/h, especially with its small roads.

Inside the Vatican City, where only officials and important people with business from other countries are allowed to drive, the speed limit is 30 kph.

Wear your seatbelts all the time

Yes, seatbelts should be worn all the time, not just by you, the driver, but also everyone inside the car, whether he/she is on the front or on the backseat. Failure to follow this law can give you a fine.

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Print + Digital International Driving Permit
Print + Digital International Driving Permit

Print + Digital International Driving Permit

Maximum coverage – includes everything you might need abroad

  • Free access to all benefits of the digital International Driving Permit format included
  • Accepted in 189+ countries – travel without worries
  • Includes a free ID card with English license details
  • Globally recognized & meets international standards
  • Essential for non-English speaking countries
Digital International Driving Permit

Digital International Driving Permit

Instant Peace of Mind – Ready for Download in Minutes

  • Easily accessible digital format, accepted in many countries
  • Can be obtained online, fast and easy process
  • Accepted widely, but not in all countries
  • Doesn't include printed booklet and complementary plastic card

You will receive a printed and digital International Driving License booklet and card. The digital International Driving Permit is sent in 8 minutes and your physical International Driving Permit will be mailed. Click here for information on countries with International Driving Permit limitations.

Frequently asked questions

Find answers to common queries and get the information you need quickly and easily.

An International Driving Permit is a translation document of your driver's license in several languages. It is a translation booklet that translates your driver's license into a language your destination country understands. This allows foreign drivers to legally drive a private motor vehicle and can be a form of identification.

It is an international travel document and not a replacement for your domestic driver's license or a legal document like a passport. An International Driving Permit is only valid if you have your original license with you.

Some countries, car rental agencies, insurance companies, and/or traffic authorities may ask to see your International Driving Permit whenever you are abroad, so it is best to keep one handy at all times. You should always carry and show your domestic driver's license along with the International Driving Permit whenever asked.
An international driver's license, technically, does not exist, so it does not grant any driving privileges and is not considered a substitute for a valid domestic driver's license. But most drivers interchangeably use this term with an international driving permit.

An international driving permit (International Driving Permit) is a travel document governed by international conventions. It is a translation of a driver's license that allows the holder to drive abroad. An International Driving Permit is not a replacement for your valid driver's license from your home country.
There are some countries that may or may not recognize your domestic driver's license but will officially recognize an International Driving Permit, which offers a local language translation of your valid license.

In some cases, the destination country's government may not require foreign visitors to have an International Driving Permit, but some car rental companies (such as Hertz, Avis, etc.) may require an international driving permit for you to rent a car.

Quiz: Take our quiz or contact your destination's traffic authorities and offices for more information.
This International Driving Permit follows the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic.

Most countries recognize the International Driving Permit if presented alongside your domestic driving license. Drivers from countries that use non-Roman alphabets (like Thailand or Russia) are often advised to obtain an International Driving Permit.

Not recognized in: North Korea, South Korea, Japan

Only accept one-year validity printed International Driving Permit: Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Spain, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

China does not recognize international driver's licenses, and foreign drivers need to obtain a Chinese driver's license.
To get an International Driving Permit, you will need:

• A valid domestic driving license
• A passport-style photo

Process:
1. Fill out the form
2. Upload photos of the back and front of your domestic driving license
3. Upload a passport-style photo
4. Attach your digital signature

Start your application here
To be eligible, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a holder of a valid domestic driving license issued by your home country
Applying for an International Driving Permit in your home country varies and will most likely take 2–3 weeks, longer if you mail your application rather than visit in person. It is recommended to apply at least 6 months before your overseas trip.

Some providers claim application processing in less than 2 weeks via express shipping.
An International Driving Permit is essentially a translation document of your driver's license in several different languages. It is used to translate your driver's license into a language that your destination country understands.

It is not a replacement for your original driver's license or a legal document like a passport. An International Driving Permit is only valid if you have your original license with you.
Available in 12 languages, making it easier for you to communicate with foreign officials and understand traffic signs and regulations in countries where English is not widely spoken. This added convenience and accessibility helps you navigate foreign roads more confidently.
This longer validity period is presented as useful for frequent travelers planning multiple trips and extended stays abroad, reducing the need to obtain a new International Driving Permit for every trip.
Driving without a valid license in a foreign country can result in fines, legal trouble, or other penalties. An International Driving Permit helps demonstrate that you are properly licensed in your home country when driving abroad.
Some services claim you can obtain an International Driving Permit at an affordable price without compromising on quality or service, and warn against overpriced or fake permits from unofficial providers.
Some providers offer worldwide express shipping so travelers can receive their International Driving Permit quickly and efficiently before their trip.
Fast application process
Worldwide acceptance
Money-back guarantee