Short answer. Yes, you can rent a car in Baku with an Indian licence. Indian licences are printed in English, in Latin letters. Latin letters are what a rental desk needs to read. Bring your original licence, your passport and your e-visa. An IDP is not always asked for. Get one anyway.
Updated 9 August 2026.
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Why is it easier for Indian visitors?
Indians were 2.8% of all arrivals in the first half of 2026. The share is about 30,000 people in six months. The number grows every year.
An Indian licence has two advantages over most other markets.
- It is in English. Russian and Iranian visitors hand over papers that nobody at the desk can read.
- It uses Latin letters. That is the real test here. Azerbaijan joined the 1968 Vienna Convention in 2002.
So the licence is rarely the problem. The deposit and the card are.
What do you need to rent a car in Baku with an Indian licence?
You need your Indian licence, your passport and your e-visa. An International Driving Permit is recommended, not required.
| Document | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Indian driving licence, original | Yes | Card or booklet. A phone photo is not accepted. |
| Passport | Yes | The one you entered Azerbaijan on. |
| e-Visa or entry stamp | Yes | Most Indian passport holders use the ASAN e-visa. |
| International Driving Permit | Recommended | See below. |
| Return ticket | No | Sometimes asked at the border. Never at our desk. |
The IDP detail nobody explains
India issues an IDP under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Azerbaijan follows the 1968 Vienna Convention. Geneva and Vienna are two different treaties.
You do not want to argue about that on a road near Gabala.
In practice it rarely matters. Your Indian licence is already in Latin letters. So carry both documents, not just the IDP.
You get an IDP at your local RTO. An IDP costs a few hundred rupees. Processing takes a few days. The permit is valid for one year.
You cannot get an IDP after you land in Baku. Our guide on the IDP in Azerbaijan has more detail.
What about age and the deposit?
At BookingCarBaku in Baku you must be 19 or older. You must have held your licence for one year.
International chains usually start at 23 or 25. Big chains also add a young driver fee on top.
The card surprises Indian visitors most often. Big brands want a credit card in the driver’s name. Money is blocked on the card until you return the car.
Many Indian travellers carry a debit card or a Forex card. A debit card is not the same thing. People get turned away at the counter.
Our rules on deposits and payment are on the rental terms page. Message us before you book if you are unsure.
Which car should you take?
| Your trip | What to take | From |
|---|---|---|
| Baku city only, two adults | Economy hatchback or sedan | 25 USD per day |
| City plus Gobustan and Absheron | Compact crossover | 48 USD per day |
| Family of four with luggage | Mid-size sedan or crossover | 48 USD per day |
| Gabala, Sheki and Quba in summer | Crossover or SUV | 65 USD per day |
| Shahdag or Tufandag in winter | SUV, and check the tyres | 65 USD per day |
| Group of six or more | Minivan | 80 USD per day |
Almost every car in Azerbaijan is automatic. Petrol is the norm. Hybrids are common now and cheaper to run.
See our economy cars, SUVs and minivans.
What does a week cost?
A couple renting in Baku pays roughly this. One week, with two trips out of the city.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Economy car, 7 days from 25 USD | about 300 AZN |
| Fuel, 700 km at 8 l per 100 km | about 62 AZN |
| Paid parking, about 4 hours a day | about 50 AZN |
| Total | about 410 AZN |
The same week on taxis costs closer to 600 AZN. You also spend that week waiting for cars.
Fuel prices are set nationally. Every station charges the same. AI-92 is 1.10 AZN per litre. AI-95 is 1.60 AZN. Diesel is 1.00 AZN.
What changes if you usually drive in India?
Three habits change for an Indian driver in Azerbaijan. The side of the road, the alcohol limit, the cameras.
Traffic keeps right. Azerbaijan drives on the right. India drives on the left. The first hour is the risky one. Take your first drive somewhere quiet.
The alcohol limit is 0.00. Not low. Zero.
Cameras issue most fines. The cameras sit on main roads and on highways. The fine arrives later, sometimes after you fly home.
Speed limits are 60 km/h in town, 90 on rural roads and 110 on motorways. Going 21 to 40 over costs 50 AZN. Going 41 to 60 over costs 200 AZN.
What do we ask an Indian 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.
Questions we get from Indian travellers
Can I drive in Baku without an IDP?
Usually yes, you can drive in Baku without an IDP. Your Indian licence is in English and Latin letters. Bring an IDP if you leave the city.
What exactly do I hand over at the desk?
Your licence, your passport and your Azerbaijani e-visa. Licence, passport and e-visa are the whole set.
Do you accept Indian debit cards or UPI?
Payment methods are listed on our Baku terms page. Ask us before booking if you rely on one card.
Is it safe to drive from Baku to Gabala or Sheki?
Yes, driving from Baku to Gabala or Sheki is safe. The main highways are good. Mountain roads are narrow and winding, so drive them in daylight.
Can I take the car to Georgia?
Taking the car to Georgia needs arrangement and extra insurance. Ask us before you book, not during the trip.
Is vegetarian food easy to find on the road?
In Baku, yes, very easy. On the highways it gets harder. Buy food before long drives.
Send us a photo of your licence on WhatsApp. We will confirm what you need before you book. Contact us here.
