Short answer. You can rent a car in Baku with a UK licence. The UK ratified the 1968 Vienna Convention on 28 March 2018. Your licence is already in Latin letters. Bring the photocard, your passport and your e-visa. The real thing to prepare for is the side of the road.
Updated 9 August 2026.
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Can you rent a car in Baku with a UK licence?
Yes, a UK licence alone is enough to rent a car in Baku. No international permit is needed by law for a short visit. The UK and Azerbaijan follow the same convention.
Before 2018 the UK was covered by the older 1949 treaty. The old treaty is why some travel pages still say you need a permit. Old travel pages are wrong now.
An IDP costs about £5.50 at a UK post office. Bring one if you plan to drive far from Baku. An IDP makes any roadside stop shorter.
What about the paper counterpart and the check code?
The paper counterpart was scrapped in 2015. No rental desk in Baku asks for it.
Some rental firms abroad ask for a DVLA check code. The code shows your penalty points online.
We do not ask for one. If another company does, generate it on the DVLA site before you fly. The code expires after 21 days.
What is genuinely different from home?
Azerbaijan drives on the right, uses km/h and sets the alcohol limit at 0.00.
| In the UK | In Azerbaijan |
|---|---|
| Drive on the left | Drive on the right |
| Speeds in mph | Speeds in km/h |
| Alcohol limit 80 mg per 100 ml | Alcohol limit 0.00 |
| Manual gearbox is common | Almost every car is automatic |
| Petrol about £1.35 per litre | AI-92 is 1.10 AZN per litre |
| Roundabouts everywhere | Large junctions with traffic lights |
Fuel here costs roughly a third of the UK price. Cheap fuel changes how a road trip feels.
How do you handle driving on the right?
Azerbaijan drives on the right. The first hour is the risky one.
People get it wrong in three places.
- Turning across traffic. A left turn now crosses oncoming cars, not a right turn.
- Pulling out of a car park. Your body wants the left lane. Say the word “right” out loud.
- Roundabouts. They go anticlockwise here. Enter to the right.
Take your first drive somewhere quiet. Ask us to deliver the car to your hotel instead of the airport. You then start on city streets, not a motorway.
What are the speed limits and fines?
| Road | Limit | Over by | Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential zone | 20 km/h | 11 to 20 | 10 AZN |
| Town or city | 60 km/h | 21 to 40 | 50 AZN |
| Rural road | 90 km/h | 41 to 60 | 200 AZN |
| Motorway | 110 km/h | over 60 | 300 AZN |
Cameras in Azerbaijan issue nearly all fines. The notice can reach the rental company weeks later.
60 km/h is 37 mph. In town 37 mph feels slow to a British driver. The limit is enforced anyway.
Where should you drive?
Drive to Gobustan, Gabala, Sheki and Absheron from Baku. Azerbaijan is smaller than England, so most good routes are day trips.
- Gobustan, 65 km, rock art and mud volcanoes
- Gabala, 220 km, mountains and forest
- Sheki, 300 km, the old town and the khan’s palace
- Absheron, under 40 km, fire temple and burning hillside
An economy car handles the first and last. Take a crossover for the mountain routes.
What do you need to rent?
Your photocard licence, your passport and your Azerbaijani e-visa. British citizens apply online through ASAN.
You must be 19 or older and have held the licence for one year. Conditions are on our terms page.
What do we ask a UK driver for?
- Your national licence works for 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, in cash or blocked on a card.
- Minimum rental 2 days, with no mileage limit.
The list of countries in 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
Is my UK licence valid in Azerbaijan?
Yes, a UK licence is valid in Azerbaijan for a short visit. The UK joined the Vienna Convention in 2018.
Do I need an IDP as well?
You do not need an IDP by law. Bring one for peace of mind if you drive outside Baku.
Are manual cars available?
Manual cars are rare in Azerbaijan. Almost every rental car is automatic.
Does my UK car insurance cover me?
No, UK car insurance does not cover you here. The rental car has Azerbaijani cover. Read our insurance guide.
Can I use my UK bank card?
Yes for payment in Baku. For deposits, see our guide on cards and deposits.
Is driving in Baku stressful?
Driving in Baku is busy in the centre, where lanes are loose. Outside the centre driving is calm.
Tell us your dates and we will quote a price on WhatsApp. Contact us here.
