Short answer. You can rent a car in Baku with a Gulf licence. The rule covers all six states. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman all joined the 1968 Vienna Convention. Your national licence is valid here by treaty. No international permit is needed by law.
Updated 9 August 2026.
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Can you rent a car in Baku with a Gulf licence from any state?
Yes, all six Gulf states are accepted in Baku. The six joined in different decades, but the date does not change the answer.
| Country | Joined the 1968 Convention | Licence accepted |
|---|---|---|
| Bahrain | 4 May 1973 | Yes |
| Kuwait | 14 March 1980 | Yes |
| United Arab Emirates | 10 January 2007 | Yes |
| Qatar | 6 March 2013 | Yes |
| Saudi Arabia | 12 May 2016 | Yes |
| Oman | 9 June 2020 | Yes |
Azerbaijan joined the same treaty in 2002. The shared treaty is what links the two ends.
Gulf licences also carry your name in Latin letters. An officer here reads it without help.
How long can you drive on it?
You can drive on a Gulf licence for thirty days from the day you land.
Most Gulf holidays here are one to three weeks. The limit rarely bites.
Staying for the whole summer? Bring an international permit as well.
What do you bring to the counter?
- Your national licence, the original card
- Your passport with the entry stamp or e-visa
- Nothing else
Gulf citizens get an Azerbaijani visa on arrival or an e-visa. Check yours before you fly.
A photo of the licence on your phone is not accepted anywhere.
Is the contract explained in Arabic?
No, the contract is not explained in Arabic. Our Baku office works in English, Russian or Turkish.
We go through the deposit, the fuel rule and the fines before you sign.
Ask about anything you are unsure of. The handover is there for questions.
What surprises Gulf drivers most?
The open road limit of 90 surprises Gulf drivers most. Fuel prices and mountain roads follow. Three things, every summer.
| Rule | Gulf | Azerbaijan |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol limit | Zero | Zero |
| Town speed limit | 60 to 80 | 60 |
| Open road | 120 or more | 90 |
| Fuel | Very cheap | 1.10 AZN a litre for AI-92 |
The open road limit is the one that costs money. Ninety means ninety.
Cameras cover the main routes out of Baku. The fine follows weeks later.
Fuel is the second surprise. A large SUV is noticeably more expensive to run here.
Roads in the mountains are narrow and wet in places. Mountain roads are nothing like a Gulf highway.
Which car do Gulf families usually take?
Gulf families usually take a minivan or a large SUV. Space wins over speed, because the trips are long and the group is big.
- Minivan for six to nine people. V-Class, Staria or Carnival
- Large SUV for mountain roads. Land Cruiser or BMW X7
- Sedan for a couple staying in the city
We hold 105 cars, so a swap mid-trip is usually possible.
Summer routes are covered in our Gabala road guide.
See our guide to minivan rental in Baku if you travel as a family.
When is the busiest season?
The busiest season is July and August. Gulf families come for the cool air and the green north.
Minivans and big SUVs go first. Two to three weeks ahead is the safe window.
Gabala, Sheki and Quba are the usual destinations. All are day trips or overnight stops.
The mountains sit 10 to 15 degrees below Baku in high summer.
What do we ask a Gulf driver for?
- Your national licence covers the first 30 days after you enter.
- An international permit removes that 30-day limit.
- Passport and licence are the only documents we need from you.
- Deposit 200 to 300 USD, depending on the car. Cash or a card block.
- No mileage limit anywhere inside Azerbaijan.
- Minimum rental 2 days.
- Fuel comes back at the level you got it.
- The contract is explained in English, Turkish or Russian.
The country list of the 1968 road traffic treaty is public. The register sits with the United Nations.
We have rented cars in Baku since 2023 and run 105 cars today. The office is open 24/7 and the phone answers at night.
BookingCarBaku staff speak Azerbaijani, Russian, English and Turkish.
Common questions
Do I need an international permit from Saudi Arabia?
No, you do not need an international permit from Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia joined the 1968 Convention in 2016, so Azerbaijan accepts the licence.
Is an Omani licence accepted?
Yes, an Omani licence is accepted. Oman joined in 2020, so the licence is valid in Azerbaijan by treaty.
Can my wife drive on her own Gulf licence?
Yes, if she is named in the Baku rental contract. A driver outside it has no cover.
Do you have child seats?
Yes, from 3 to 5 USD a day. Tell our Baku office the ages when you book.
Can we take the car to Georgia?
No, you cannot take the car to Georgia. Current rules do not allow rented cars out of Azerbaijan.
Do you deliver to the hotel?
Yes, anywhere in Baku for 10 USD. The airport is 15 USD.
Coming with the family this summer? Message us early. We answer in English and Arabic on WhatsApp.
