International Driver's License In Yemen: Rent A Car and Drive Safely

What are the requirements to get international driver’s license in the Yemen?

The requirements to get an International Driver’s Permit (IDP)/international driver’s license in Yemen, are simple. You only need to prepare your valid home country driver’s license, a passport size photo, and then your credit card.

If you have a driver’s license coming from a foreign country on this list, then you will be allowed to drive within this country with only your IDP according to the United Nations during the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic:

• Canada
• Oman
• Saudi Arabia
• Hong Kong
• Japan
• Brunei
• Bahrain
• Lebanon
• Australia
• Egypt
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Qatar
• South Korea
• Brazil
• Jordan
• Samoa
• El Salvador
• Honduras
• Philippines
• Costa Rica
• Nicaragua
• Iceland
• Pakistan
• Israel
• United Arab Emirates
• South Africa
• Zimbabwe
• Netherlands
• Indonesia
• Romania
• Afghanistan
• Kuwait
• Libya
• Namibia
• Laos
• Cameroon
• Kenya
• Nepal
• Fiji
• Algeria
• New Guinea
• Djibouti
• Iran
• Ukraine
• Bulgaria
• Syria
• Bolivia
• Paraguay
• New Zealand
• Argentina
• Tunisia
• Peru
• Belarus
• Chile
• Poland

What is the legal age to drive in the Yemen?

The legal age to drive in Yemen (Rep.) is 18 years old. It is also the minimum age requirement for you to secure an IDP in the country.

Top Destinations

Considering the climate of Yemen, it would be best to travel between June and September when summer rolls in. Due to the lack of natural drainage in the country, flooding would mostly occur during the rainy months. If you have prepared your International Driving Permit in Yemen (Rep.), here are a few of the most recommended sites to visit.

Sana’a

At 5,552km2, Sana’a is the capital city of Yemen. This is the melting point of ancient and contemporary Yemen and the birthplace of the Islamic Mission in the country. Some of the most interesting sites to see in Sana’a are the mosques, the bathing houses, and the ancient tombs, most of which are found in the Old City of Sana’a. Sana’a is also where you’ll find the biggest Souqs (market) in the country. If you’re fond of authentic middle-eastern textiles, ingredients, and art, you can go around Souq Al-Milh, the oldest Souq in Yemen.

Aden

Aden is a port city on the southern coast of Yemen. It is an ancient city that has witnessed the stories of the ancient spice roadway before the 3rd century A.D., as well as the modernization of the European sea navigation industry. Aden is divided into three (3) sections, each with its own collection of tourist sites. Among the most popular are the Cisterns of Tawila, the National Museum, the Sira Fortress, and the Little Ben.

Socotra Island

Socotra Island is only one (1) of four (4) islands in the Socotra archipelago. What makes Socotra very interesting to the global tourism scene is its very distinct collection of floral and faunal species. Not only that, the ecosystems in this archipelago run from the dry desert dunes to the high limestone mountains and down to the rich coral reef system — they basically have everything that mother nature has to offer in Socotra! When you visit the island, you should definitely check out the giant bottle trees as they only grow in Socotra, then cool off at Qalansiyah Beach, a wide, powdery, white sand beach.

Hadramaut

Hadramaut is the country’s largest governorate, and it is located in the east-central region of Yemen. The province has a hilly coastline with valley regions inland. A portion of Hadramaut also supports agricultural activities. If the western highlands produce coffee and fruits, the Hadramut highlands produce mostly wheat and barley. If you visit Hadramaut, make sure that you do not miss Wadi Daw’an, an area where villages are perched on top of cliffs. The oldest of these villages is Haid al Jazil which was established more than 500 years ago and is perched right on top of a massive ball of rock.

Most Important Road Rules

Yemen is still working on building a safer driving environment and some local drivers tend to be aggressive, often ignoring the laws. But as a tourist, you need to respect the driving rules in Yemen and always practice good driving manners.

Avoid Drinking Alcohol in Yemen

Alcohol is banned in Yemen. Although some prevailingly-Muslim nations allow the sale and consumption of alike, Yemen is different. Yemen is among the most conservative countries when it comes to alcohol intake. There is zero tolerance for drinking and driving; hence, your blood alcohol concentration should be kept at 0.00% at all times. If you get caught violating these rules, you might have your International Driver’s Permit for all Yemen provinces confiscated, or worse, deportation.

Drive on the right side of the road.

Yemeni’s drive on the right side of the road. Although some reports have noted that some Yemeni’s do not follow this and drive on the opposite lane, do not follow them. The road markings or lane separators should guide you where you should position your car. Likewise, when you are driving in rural areas where there are no road markings, just make sure to keep to the right when there is an oncoming vehicle.