Driving Guides by Destination
Find traffic rules, speed limits, license requirements, road signs, and practical car rental tips for countries and regions worldwide.
Europe 24
Austria
Austria features stunning Alpine roads, well-maintained motorways, and a mandatory digital vignette system. EU licenses accepted; others need an IDP. Winter equipment rules are strictly enforced.
Belgium
Belgium drives on the right with excellent motorways, multilingual signage, and straightforward rules. EU and US license holders generally do not need an IDP.
Croatia
Croatia drives on the right with excellent toll motorways and stunning Adriatic coastal roads. EU and US license holders do not need an IDP. Summer brings congestion on the D8 coastal route.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic offers an excellent road network with affordable fuel and straightforward driving rules. EU and US license holders do not need an IDP. Strict zero-tolerance alcohol laws apply.
Denmark
Denmark drives on the right with low speed limits, excellent infrastructure, and iconic bridges. EU and US license holders generally do not need an IDP. Fuel is expensive.
Finland
Finland drives on the right with vast distances, challenging winter conditions, and unique hazards such as reindeer. EU and US license holders generally do not need an IDP. Winter tires are mandatory in cold months.
France
France has an excellent road network with scenic autoroutes, but be prepared for toll charges, priority-to-the-right rules, and mandatory safety equipment in your vehicle.
Germany
Germany is famous for its Autobahn with no general speed limit on many sections. Driving on the right, with strict traffic laws and excellent road infrastructure.
Greece
Greece offers scenic coastal and mountain driving with ferry access to islands. Athens traffic is intense; island roads are narrow. An IDP is recommended for non-EU visitors. Parking can be challenging.
Hungary
Hungary drives on the right with e-vignette motorways, affordable fuel, and scenic routes to thermal baths and the Danube Bend. An IDP is recommended for non-EU visitors.
Iceland
Iceland offers spectacular scenery but challenging driving conditions. The Ring Road circles the island; F-roads require 4WD and are closed in winter. Single-lane bridges, gravel roads, and rapidly changing weather demand caution.
Ireland
Ireland drives on the left with narrow country roads, scenic coastal routes like the Wild Atlantic Way, and roundabouts at every turn. US, EU, and UK license holders do not need an IDP.
Italy
Italy offers thrilling drives along the Amalfi Coast and through Tuscany, but ZTL restricted zones, aggressive city driving, and complex parking make it challenging for visitors.
Netherlands
The Netherlands has excellent roads but unique challenges: dense cyclist traffic, tram rails in cities, and strict speed enforcement. EU licenses are accepted; others need an IDP.
Norway
Norway offers spectacular fjord and mountain driving with strict alcohol limits, mandatory winter tires, and an extensive AutoPASS toll system. EU and US license holders do not need an IDP.
Poland
Poland's motorway network is rapidly improving, with an e-TOLL vignette system for trucks and some vehicles. Driving culture can be assertive. An IDP is recommended for non-EU visitors. Fuel is relatively affordable.
Portugal
Portugal offers excellent motorways, scenic wine country roads, and straightforward driving. EU and US license holders do not need an IDP. Electronic tolls (Via Verde) require advance setup.
Romania
Romania offers spectacular mountain driving including the famous Transfagarasan Highway, but visitors should expect horse carts on rural roads and rapidly improving infrastructure. An IDP is recommended for non-EU license holders.
Slovenia
Slovenia is a compact country with excellent roads, stunning Alpine scenery, and straightforward driving. EU and US license holders do not need an IDP. The e-vignette system covers motorways.
Spain
Spain features excellent autopistas, beautiful coastal drives, and vibrant cities. EU licenses are accepted; others may need an IDP. Watch out for ZBE low-emission zones in major cities.
Sweden
Sweden offers excellent road quality, clear signage, and straightforward driving rules. EU and US license holders do not need an IDP. Watch for moose and congestion charges in Stockholm and Gothenburg.
Switzerland
Switzerland offers breathtaking Alpine drives but requires a motorway vignette, has strict speed enforcement, and mountain passes can be challenging. Well-maintained roads and clear signage make navigation straightforward.
Turkey
Turkey drives on the right with modern motorways, an aggressive driving culture, and a comprehensive toll system (HGS/OGS). An IDP is required for most foreign visitors.
United Kingdom
The UK drives on the left with roundabouts everywhere, narrow country lanes, and strict speed enforcement. Most foreign licenses are valid for up to 12 months.
Asia 19
Cambodia
Cambodia offers adventurous driving through Phnom Penh chaos, Siem Reap and Angkor Wat, and limited road infrastructure dominated by motorbikes. Dust roads, monsoon flooding, and unpredictable traffic make it challenging.
China
China does not recognize the International Driving Permit. Foreigners must obtain a temporary Chinese driving license. The country has a vast expressway network, strict traffic enforcement, and driving restrictions in major cities.
Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong drives on the left with dense traffic, narrow hill roads, and an extensive tunnel network. Excellent public transport makes driving unnecessary for most visitors, but the territory offers scenic routes to outlying areas.
India
India drives on the left with chaotic urban traffic, diverse road conditions, and a unique horn culture. An International Driving Permit is required for foreign visitors.
Indonesia
Indonesia drives on the left with chaotic traffic, especially in Java and Bali. An IDP is required. Most tourists rent scooters in Bali, but car rentals with a driver are recommended for longer trips.
Japan
Japan drives on the left with strict traffic laws, excellent road conditions, and an extensive toll highway system. An International Driving Permit is required.
Jordan
Jordan offers scenic drives including the Dead Sea Highway, King's Highway, and Wadi Rum, with generally good roads and affordable fuel. Amman traffic can be heavy; police checkpoints are common. An IDP is required.
Macau, China
Macau drives on the left with a compact road network, Portuguese-influenced street layouts, and light traffic outside rush hours. The territory is small enough that most visitors rely on free casino shuttles, buses, and taxis.
Malaysia
Malaysia drives on the left with a mix of modern expressways and rural two-lane roads. An IDP is recommended. Watch for motorcycles everywhere and be prepared for sudden tropical downpours.
Oman
Oman offers excellent modern roads, low fuel prices, and very safe driving conditions. The Muscat to Salalah route, wadi driving, desert routes, and Jebel Akhdar are highlights for road trippers.
Philippines
Driving in the Philippines means navigating chaotic Manila traffic, island-hopping via ferries, and sharing roads with jeepneys and tricycles. An IDP is required; expect challenging conditions especially during monsoon season.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has recently opened to tourism with modern highways, extreme heat, and very cheap fuel. Women can now drive. Riyadh and Jeddah traffic can be heavy; the NEOM development signals ongoing infrastructure change.
Singapore
Singapore drives on the left with strict traffic enforcement, Electronic Road Pricing (ERP), and some of the world's highest car ownership costs. Roads are excellent but driving is usually unnecessary thanks to superb public transport.
South Korea
South Korea has modern expressways, excellent infrastructure, and high-tech toll systems. An IDP is required for most foreign drivers. City driving in Seoul can be intense.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka drives on the left with narrow winding hill roads, ubiquitous tuk-tuks, and wildlife on roads. Tea country and coastal drives are rewarding but demanding. An IDP is required.
Taiwan, China
Taiwan offers dramatic mountain driving including Taroko Gorge and the Suhua Highway, but traffic is scooter-heavy and terrain is challenging. An IDP is required. Taiwan uses its own vehicle registration system.
Thailand
Thailand drives on the left with unique traffic patterns, heavy urban congestion, and a mix of vehicles from motorcycles to tuk-tuks. An International Driving Permit is required.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE drives on the right with modern highways, strict traffic enforcement, and extreme summer heat. An IDP is required. The Salik toll system operates in Dubai and on key roads.
Vietnam
Vietnam drives on the right with motorbike-dominated traffic, chaotic urban streets, and growing highway infrastructure. Foreigners face restrictions on car driving; an IDP is required.
North America 4
Canada
Canada offers vast scenic highways, well-maintained roads, and clear signage. Most foreign licenses are accepted for short visits, though rules vary by province.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica rewards drivers with rainforest roads and volcanic landscapes, but 4WD is essential for many areas. River crossings, potholes, and the lack of street addresses require preparation.
Mexico
Mexico drives on the right with a mix of modern toll highways and challenging free roads. An IDP is not strictly required but recommended. Watch for speed bumps (topes) and plan for toll costs.
United States
The US is a car-centric country with wide roads, clear signage, and vast distances perfect for road trips. Foreign licenses are accepted for short visits in most states.
South America 5
Argentina
Argentina offers epic road trips along Ruta 40 and through Patagonia, but vast distances, chaotic Buenos Aires traffic, and remote gravel roads demand careful planning. An IDP is required for foreign drivers.
Brazil
Brazil is a vast country with improving highways but challenging urban driving, aggressive traffic in major cities, and significant distances between destinations. An IDP is officially required.
Chile
Chile stretches 4,300 km from desert to glaciers, offering the Carretera Austral, Pan-American Highway, and diverse landscapes. The TAG toll system, extreme geography, and varied climate require careful planning. An IDP is required.
Colombia
Colombia offers diverse driving from Bogota's pico y placa restrictions to the Caribbean coast and coffee region. Security has improved; toll roads and mountain passes require attention.
Peru
Peru offers spectacular high-altitude driving through the Sacred Valley and along the Pan-American Highway, but unpaved mountain roads, Lima traffic, and altitude sickness require careful preparation.
Oceania 2
Australia
Australia drives on the left with vast outback distances, unique wildlife hazards, and state-by-state rule variations. An IDP is required for most foreign visitors.
New Zealand
New Zealand offers some of the world's most stunning driving scenery, from fjords to volcanic landscapes. Roads are well-maintained but often narrow and winding. Drive on the left.
Africa 4
Egypt
Egypt presents challenging driving with Cairo traffic chaos, Nile Valley routes, desert highways, police checkpoints, Sinai roads, and Red Sea coast. Microbus culture and informal traffic patterns dominate.
Kenya
Kenya offers safari self-drive and the Great Rift Valley, but left-hand driving, Nairobi traffic, matatu minibuses, wildlife on roads, and unpaved park roads require experience and caution.
Morocco
Morocco offers diverse terrain from the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara and coast, but driving requires navigating aggressive city traffic, medina congestion, police checkpoints, and variable rural road quality. An IDP is required.
South Africa
South Africa drives on the left with stunning scenic routes like the Garden Route, but requires vigilance due to aggressive minibus taxis, wildlife crossings, and safety concerns in certain areas.