🇦🇫 Do you need an IDP to drive in Afghanistan?

It depends on the licence you hold — Afghanistan accepts some foreign licences directly while others require an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Confirm the rule for your specific licence country before you travel. A certified translation of your licence smooths rental-desk and police checks, but it does not replace the IDP where one is required. The UK FCDO advises against all travel to Afghanistan, where road travel is described as highly dangerous and there is no British Embassy or in-person consular help. Afghanistan is historically a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention, so a 1949 IDP carried with your national licence is the standard document, but tourism and car rental are effectively not viable given the security situation. Treat the licence question as secondary to the do-not-travel advisory.

A certified translation companion helps officials and car-rental desks in Afghanistan read your licence, but where Afghanistan requires an IDP it must be one issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Always carry your original national licence with it.

Self-drive rental for tourists is not a practical option; visitors generally rely on pre-arranged trusted local drivers and security arrangements rather than rental desks.

Afghanistan recognises IDPs issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Make sure your IDP is issued by your own country's authorised issuer under the matching convention.

Because Afghanistan follows the 1949 Geneva Convention, an IDP is valid for one year from its date of issue. The permit is only valid alongside your original national licence, and it cannot be renewed — you apply for a new one from your home country's authorised issuer when it lapses.