Do I Need an International Driving Permit in Albania?We have not yet checked Albania’s own rules for foreign licences.
Both conventions apply, but the UK government says the 1949 IDP is no longer accepted: ask for the 1968 IDP.
We have not yet checked Albania’s own rules for foreign licences.
Both conventions apply, but the UK government says the 1949 IDP is no longer accepted: ask for the 1968 IDP.
Rules for all foreign drivers in Albania
We have not yet checked Albania’s own rules for foreign licences.
Both conventions apply, but the UK government says the 1949 IDP is no longer accepted: ask for the 1968 IDP.
Which IDP version Albania accepts
Albania is a party to both the 1949 Geneva and the 1968 Vienna Convention, but the UK government says the 1949 IDP is no longer accepted.
| Convention | Status |
|---|---|
| 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic | Party (acceded 1 October 1969) |
| 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic | Party (acceded 29 June 2000) |
Source: United Nations Treaty Collection.
Getting the right IDP for Albania
Ask for the 1968 IDP. In the UK: PayPoint stores (choose the 1968 IDP). In the US: AAA. In Canada: CAA. Elsewhere: your national automobile club or licensing authority.
What the UK, US and Canadian governments tell their citizens
Canadian licence holders need an IDP. The UK and US advice does not say.
UK licence holdersNot stated in the advice, check the source. Version mentioned: 1968 IDP.Source: UK FCDO, updated 15 October 2026
US licence holdersNot stated in the advice, check the source.Source: US Department of State, updated 25 August 2026
Canadian licence holdersIDP required.Source: Government of Canada, updated 15 October 2026
What the governments say
Short quotes from each government's travel advice for its own citizens. The wording is theirs.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
You may find it useful to have a 1968 international driving permit (IDP) as well as your UK licence. The 1949 IDP is not accepted any more. … If you stay longer than one year, or live in Albania, you will need to apply for an Albanian driving licence.
Source: UK FCDO travel advice for Albania, updated 15 October 2026. Quoted as published.
US Department of State
All international driving permits (IDP) issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention are accepted. An international driving permit can only be used for one year. If you wish to drive in Albania for more than one year, you must apply for an Albanian license.
Source: US Department of State travel advice for Albania, updated 25 August 2026. Quoted as published.
Government of Canada
You must carry an international driving permit.
Source: Government of Canada travel advice for Albania, updated 15 October 2026. Quoted as published.
Questions
Can I drive in Albania with a foreign licence?
We have not yet checked Albania’s own rules for foreign licences. Both conventions apply, but the UK government says the 1949 IDP is no longer accepted: ask for the 1968 IDP.
Can I drive in Albania with a 1968 IDP?
Yes. Albania is a party to the 1968 Vienna Convention (acceded 29 June 2000), so a 1968 IDP is recognised. Carry it together with your national driving licence.
Can I drive in Albania with a 1949 IDP?
Not according to the UK government: it says the 1949 IDP is no longer accepted, although Albania is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention. Use a 1968 IDP.
Do UK licence holders need an IDP in Albania?
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice does not say. Source: UK FCDO, updated 15 October 2026.
Do US licence holders need an IDP in Albania?
The US Department of State advice does not say. Source: US Department of State, updated 25 August 2026.
Do Canadian licence holders need an IDP in Albania?
Yes. Source: Government of Canada, updated 15 October 2026.
How long can I drive in Albania with an IDP?
UK FCDO (updated 15 October 2026): “If you stay longer than one year, or live in Albania, you will need to apply for an Albanian driving licence.” US Department of State (updated 25 August 2026): “An international driving permit can only be used for one year. If you wish to drive in Albania for more than one year, you must apply for an Albanian license.”
About International Driving Permits
What is an International Driving Permit?
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is an official translation of your national driving licence, set out in a standard format agreed under United Nations road traffic conventions.
An IDP is not a licence on its own. It is valid only when carried together with your valid national driving licence. During a traffic stop, you must show both documents.
An IDP helps because it allows police, car rental companies and insurers abroad to read and understand your licence details, even where the language differs from their own.
You can only obtain an IDP from the country that issued your driving licence, and you must do this before you travel. It cannot be obtained or renewed once you are abroad.
Whether you need an IDP depends on your destination, where your licence was issued and sometimes how long you plan to stay. The answer for this country is at the top of this page.
1949 or 1968 IDP: which one do you need?
There are two main IDP formats, based on two UN road traffic conventions: the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1968 Vienna Convention. An older format, based on the 1926 Paris Convention, is still required in a few countries.
The 1949 IDP is valid for 1 year from the date of issue. The 1968 IDP is valid for up to 3 years, or until your national licence expires, whichever comes first.
Your destination decides which format it accepts, based on the convention or conventions it has joined. Some countries are party to both the 1949 and 1968 conventions.
If you are visiting several countries on one trip, you may need more than one IDP, depending on which conventions each country has joined.
| Format | Based on | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 1949 IDP | 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic | 1 year from date of issue |
| 1968 IDP | 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic | Up to 3 years, or until your national licence expires, whichever comes first |
| 1926 IDP | 1926 Paris Convention | Required in a few countries only |
The page for each country shows which convention it has joined.
Related
- International Driving Permit: all countries
- Do I need an IDP in Andorra?
- Do I need an IDP in Austria?
- Do I need an IDP in Belarus?
- How to get citizenship of Albania
Sources and methodology
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: travel advice for Albania. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
- US Department of State: travel advice for Albania. US Department of State: public domain (US Government work).
- Government of Canada: travel advice for Albania. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
- United Nations Treaty Collection: status of the 1949 and 1968 road traffic conventions.
The licence statuses above are derived automatically from the government text quoted on this page. Government advice changes often: confirm the current rules with the official source before you travel.
Last checked 9 November 2026.