Do I Need an International Driving Permit in Jordan?We have not yet checked Jordan’s own rules for foreign licences.
If you need an IDP in Jordan, it must be the 1949 version. A 1968 IDP is not valid here.
We have not yet checked Jordan’s own rules for foreign licences.
If you need an IDP in Jordan, it must be the 1949 version. A 1968 IDP is not valid here.
Rules for all foreign drivers in Jordan
We have not yet checked Jordan’s own rules for foreign licences.
If you need an IDP in Jordan, it must be the 1949 version. A 1968 IDP is not valid here.
Which IDP version Jordan accepts
Jordan is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention, not the 1968 Vienna Convention, so it recognises the 1949 IDP.
| Convention | Status |
|---|---|
| 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic | Party (acceded 14 January 1960) |
| 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic | Not a party |
Source: United Nations Treaty Collection.
Getting the right IDP for Jordan
Ask for the 1949 IDP. In the UK: PayPoint stores (choose the 1949 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
UK and US licence holders need an IDP. An IDP is recommended for Canadian licence holders.
UK licence holdersIDP required. Version mentioned: 1949 IDP.Source: UK FCDO, updated 27 October 2026
US licence holdersIDP required.Source: US Department of State, updated 22 October 2026
Canadian licence holdersIDP recommended.Source: Government of Canada, updated 28 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’ll need to have both the 1949 version of the international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence with you in the car. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.
Source: UK FCDO travel advice for Jordan, updated 27 October 2026. Quoted as published.
US Department of State
Traffic Laws: Drivers must have a valid Jordanian license or a valid foreign license with an International Driving Permit to drive in Jordan. U.S. visitors who intend to drive should obtain an International Driving Permit before travel to Jordan.
Source: US Department of State travel advice for Jordan, updated 22 October 2026. Quoted as published.
Government of Canada
You should carry an international driving permit. If you have a valid Canadian driver’s licence or an international driving permit, you may only drive rental cars. To drive any other vehicle, you must hold a Jordanian driver’s licence.
Source: Government of Canada travel advice for Jordan, updated 28 October 2026. Quoted as published.
Questions
Can I drive in Jordan with a foreign licence?
We have not yet checked Jordan’s own rules for foreign licences. If you need an IDP in Jordan, it must be the 1949 version. A 1968 IDP is not valid here.
Can I drive in Jordan with a 1968 IDP?
No. Jordan is not a party to the 1968 Vienna Convention, so a 1968 IDP is not valid here. Jordan recognises the 1949 IDP.
Can I drive in Jordan with a 1949 IDP?
Yes. Jordan is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention (acceded 14 January 1960), so a 1949 IDP is recognised. Carry it together with your national driving licence.
Do UK licence holders need an IDP in Jordan?
Yes. Version mentioned: 1949 IDP. Source: UK FCDO, updated 27 October 2026.
Do US licence holders need an IDP in Jordan?
Yes. Source: US Department of State, updated 22 October 2026.
Do Canadian licence holders need an IDP in Jordan?
Recommended, not strictly required. Source: Government of Canada, updated 28 October 2026.
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 Afghanistan?
- Do I need an IDP in Armenia?
- Do I need an IDP in Azerbaijan?
- How to get citizenship of Jordan
Sources and methodology
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: travel advice for Jordan. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
- US Department of State: travel advice for Jordan. US Department of State: public domain (US Government work).
- Government of Canada: travel advice for Jordan. 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.