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I picked up my rental car in Amman, ready to head straight to Wadi Rum. Just as I was about to drive off, the agent looked at my license and asked, “Where’s your IDP?”

Cue panic.

I had no clue I needed one.

If you’re planning to drive in Jordan—even for a day—you’ll likely need an International Driving Permit (IDP). Without it, your trip could stall before it even begins. Let’s make sure you’ve got everything sorted before you hit the road.

Yes, most foreign travelers need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Jordan. Your IDP must be valid and presented with your home license. Without it, you risk fines, rental rejection, or police trouble—especially if your license isn’t in Arabic.

You’ll need an IDP if your license isn’t printed in Arabic. This includes licenses from the US, India, UK, Canada, Australia, and many others.

Don’t assume your local license alone is enough. Even if your license is accepted back home, it might not be in Jordan.

An IDP (not “IDL”) is a translation of your home license into multiple languages, including Arabic. It doesn’t replace your original license—you must carry both.

Jordan follows the 1949 Geneva Convention, so make sure you’re getting the right type.

You’ve got two options:

1. Apply through your home country’s government — might take days or weeks.
2. Apply online through internationaldriversassociation.com — much faster.

We make it easy. Fill out a form, upload your license photo, and we’ll ship the IDP. Most get it within 24 hours. You’ll even get a digital backup (handy if your original is damaged), but remember: only the printed booklet is valid.

Tip: Apply before your flight. Jordanian post offices don’t issue IDPs. You’ll be stuck if you wait until arrival.

Your IDP is valid in Jordan for up to 1 year, or until your home license expires—whichever comes first.

You need to carry your IDP with your national license at all times. If either is missing, you could be fined or blocked from renting a car.

Note: Even if your IDP is valid for 3 years (like the 1968 version), Jordan still limits tourists to 1 year of use on foreign licenses.

Yes, nearly all car rental agencies in Jordan require an IDP—especially if your license isn’t in Arabic.

Don’t expect them to make exceptions. No IDP, no keys. Even global rental brands like Hertz, Sixt, and Budget list IDP as a requirement.

Fines range between 50 to 100 Jordanian Dinars (approx. $70–$140 USD). You could also be pulled over, asked to show your documents, and have your vehicle impounded if you don’t have valid paperwork.

And forget about insurance—most policies are void if you’re driving without proper permits.

If your IDP goes missing in Jordan, you can’t get a new one locally. It must be re-issued by the original provider.

But here’s the upside—if you got yours from internationaldriversassociation.com, you can request a free replacement. We’ll ship a new one quickly.

Until then, don’t drive. It’s just not worth the risk.

• Renting a car in Amman or Aqaba
• Exploring Petra, Jerash, and the Dead Sea
• Peace of mind with traffic stops
• Avoiding language issues with Arabic-only signage
• Ensuring insurance coverage stays valid

If you're planning to stay in Jordan long-term (over 6 months), you'll likely need to convert your license to a Jordanian driving license.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is only valid for short-term stays—typically up to 12 months for tourists. After that, or if you become a resident, an IDP alone is no longer enough.

Here’s what usually happens:

• If your country has a license exchange agreement with Jordan, you may be able to convert your license without taking a driving test.
• If not, you’ll need to pass a theory and practical test to get a local license.
  

You’ll need to show your residency permit, valid passport, and your home country license (translated into Arabic if it’s not already).

If you're thinking of exploring Jordan by car—don’t wait until you're at the counter to sort this out.

Get your International Driving Permit online now from internationaldriversassociation.com.
It’s fast. It’s simple. It’ll save you from trouble down the road.