Short answer. You can rent a car in Baku with a US license or a Canadian one. But this is the one case where we really do say get an IDP. The US and Canada follow the 1949 Geneva treaty. Azerbaijan follows the 1968 Vienna one. Different treaties, so bring both documents.
Updated 9 August 2026.
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Why does the treaty matter here?
Azerbaijan joined the 1968 Vienna Convention on 3 July 2002. The United States and Canada never did.
Both are covered by the older 1949 Geneva Convention instead. Azerbaijan is not a party to that one.
So there is a real gap on paper. In practice your licence is in Latin letters and desks accept it.
The IDP closes the gap for about 20 dollars. Twenty dollars is a cheap fix for a roadside argument in Gabala.
What do you need to rent a car in Baku with a US license?
| Country | Who issues it | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| United States | AAA or AATA | about 20 USD |
| Canada | CAA | about 25 CAD |
You need two passport photos and your licence. The permit is valid for one year.
Do it before you fly. No office in Azerbaijan can issue one. Websites selling PDF permits sell fakes.
What changes from driving at home?
Speeds are in km/h, the alcohol limit is 0.00 and cars are smaller.
| At home | In Azerbaijan |
|---|---|
| Speeds in mph | Speeds in km/h |
| City limits 25 to 35 mph | 60 km/h, which is 37 mph |
| Highway 65 to 75 mph | 110 km/h, which is 68 mph |
| Blood alcohol limit 0.08 | Blood alcohol limit 0.00 |
| Gas about 3.50 USD a gallon | about 2.50 USD a gallon |
| Full-size SUVs everywhere | Compact cars and crossovers |
Two of these matter more than the rest.
The alcohol limit is zero. Not 0.02. Not “one drink is fine”. Zero.
Cars are smaller here. A midsize SUV in Baku means a RAV4, not a Tahoe. Book a minivan if you are five or more.
Is the driving hard?
Driving in Azerbaijan is not hard for an American. Traffic keeps right, the same as home. The wheel is on the left.
Central Baku is busy and lane markings are treated loosely. Drivers merge closely and horns are common.
Outside the city it is calm. The highway to Gabala or Sheki is wide and often empty.
Almost every rental car here is automatic. The automatic fleet surprises visitors who expect Europe.
How far is everything?
Gobustan is 65 km from Baku, Gabala 220 km and Sheki 300 km.
| From Baku to | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Gobustan | 65 km, 40 miles | about 1 hour |
| Absheron fire temple | 30 km, 19 miles | about 40 minutes |
| Gabala | 220 km, 137 miles | about 3 hours |
| Sheki | 300 km, 186 miles | about 4 hours |
| Quba | 170 km, 106 miles | about 2.5 hours |
The whole country fits inside a week of easy driving. Nothing is a ten-hour haul.
How does parking work?
Central Baku has paid street zones. Paid zones cost 1 to 2 AZN an hour.
Baku has no coin meters. You pay through an app called AzParking.
Parking is free from 22:00 to 07:00 and all day Sunday. The first 15 minutes are free everywhere.
Not paid by 22:00 the same day? Then 10 AZN is added. A ticket itself costs 20 to 50 AZN.
What do you need to rent?
- Your state or provincial licence, the original card
- Your passport and your Azerbaijani e-visa
- An international driving permit, strongly advised
- Age 19 or over, with one year of driving history
US and Canadian citizens apply for the e-visa online through ASAN. Our conditions are on the terms page.
What do we ask a US or Canadian 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
Will you rent to me without an IDP?
Yes, we rent to a US licence without an IDP. Your licence is readable, but an IDP settles every Azerbaijani roadside question.
Does my US auto insurance cover this?
No, US auto insurance does not cover a rental here. The rental car carries Azerbaijani cover. Read our insurance guide.
Does my credit card cover the rental excess?
Some credit cards cover the rental excess. Check the terms before you fly and keep the paperwork with you.
Is it safe to drive at night outside Baku?
Driving at night outside Baku is riskier. Rural roads are poorly lit and livestock crosses them. Drive long distances in daylight.
Can I take the car into Georgia?
Taking the car into Georgia needs arrangement and extra insurance. Ask before you book.
What size car fits four adults and luggage?
A mid-size crossover. See our Baku SUVs and crossovers.
Tell us your dates on WhatsApp and we will confirm what you need. Contact us here.
