Country requirements · Vatican City
Do you need an International Driving Permit to drive in Vatican City?
Short answer
An International Driving Permit is recommended for Vatican City and required if your national licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet. The world's smallest state drives on the right but has virtually no public roads to drive; visitors enter Rome's road network, where Italian rules and IDPs apply. Vatican City follows the Local rules standard, so your permit must be issued in that format. At rental desks operated by Hertz, Enterprise, Alamo, Budget, Avis and Sixt, a valid IDP is a standard counter requirement for foreign licences; arriving without one can mean a refused booking or a lost deposit. Vatican City drives on the right and the minimum rental age is typically 18+, with a young-driver surcharge usually applied under 25. Carry your IDP together with your original national licence and passport at all times — the permit is a certified translation and never replaces your licence.
Sourced from the 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna Conventions and rental-network policies
Vatican City at a glance
IDP requiredRecommended
Accepted formatLocal rules
Minimum age to rent18+ (surcharge under 25)
Drive on theRight-hand side
Carry alongsideYour national licence + passport
CurrencyEUR
Top speed limit30 km/h (effectively pedestrian)
Emergency number112 (Italian network)
Driving in Vatican City
What the rules require
When do you need an IDP in Vatican City?
The world's smallest state drives on the right but has virtually no public roads to drive; visitors enter Rome's road network, where Italian rules and IDPs apply. The permit is a recognised translation of your licence and is presented together with the original.
Does renting a car in Vatican City require an IDP?
No rental desks exist; cars are hired in Rome under Italian requirements. Having your permit ready avoids losing your reservation at the counter.
Driving rules in Vatican City you should know
- Drive on the right.
- Effectively pedestrian within the walls.
- Italian rules apply on surrounding roads.
- 0.05% alcohol limit (Italian standard).
How long is an IDP valid in Vatican City?
Vatican City honours both the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention formats. A 1949-format IDP is valid for up to 1 year; a 1968-format IDP can be valid for up to 3 years, or until your national licence expires. If you travel regularly, the validity clock starts on the issue date, not on first use — so order close to your departure to maximise usable time.
Documents checklist for driving in Vatican City
- Your original national driving licence — the IDP is a translation and is never valid on its own.
- Your International Driving Permit, in the Local rules format Vatican City recognises.
- Your passport or accepted national ID for police checks and rental pick-up.
- For rentals: the credit card used for the booking and your rental agreement (it covers the registration and insurance papers).
- Local currency or a card for road costs — Vatican City uses the EUR.
Vatican City · common questions
01
Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in Vatican City?
Visitors can usually drive in Vatican City on a valid foreign licence, but an IDP is required if your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet and is recommended for car rental. The world's smallest state drives on the right but has virtually no public roads to drive; visitors enter Rome's road network, where Italian rules and IDPs apply.
02
Which IDP format does Vatican City accept, and how long is it valid?
Vatican City honours both the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention formats. A 1949-format IDP is valid for up to 1 year; a 1968-format IDP can be valid for up to 3 years, or until your national licence expires. Your document is prepared in exactly that convention booklet format.
03
Do I need an IDP to rent a car in Vatican City?
No rental desks exist; cars are hired in Rome under Italian requirements. The minimum rental age in Vatican City is typically 18+, and most agencies apply a young-driver surcharge under 25. Bring your IDP, your original national licence, your passport and the credit card used for the booking.
04
Which side of the road does Vatican City drive on?
Vatican City drives on the right-hand side of the road. Drive on the right.
05
What is the drink-driving limit in Vatican City?
0.05% alcohol limit (Italian standard). Penalties for exceeding the limit as a foreign driver can include on-the-spot fines, vehicle impoundment and invalidated rental insurance — if in doubt, don't drive after drinking.
06
What is the speed limit in Vatican City?
The maximum for cars on the fastest road class in Vatican City is 30 km/h (effectively pedestrian). Limits drop in built-up areas and on secondary roads, and posted signs always take precedence — speed enforcement against foreign drivers commonly arrives as a fine charged through your rental company.
07
What is the emergency number in Vatican City?
Dial 112 (Italian network) in Vatican City. From any GSM mobile phone, 112 also connects to local emergency services in most countries even without a local SIM. After an accident, stay at the scene, secure it (use your warning triangle where required) and notify your rental company before any repairs.
08
What documents should I carry while driving in Vatican City?
Carry your original national driving licence, your International Driving Permit, your passport (or national ID where accepted), and the vehicle's registration and insurance papers (your rental agreement covers these for hire cars). The IDP is a translation of your licence and is never valid on its own.
09
Is an IDP the same as a driver's licence in Vatican City?
No. An IDP is an official multilingual translation of your existing licence in the United Nations convention format — it does not grant driving privileges by itself and must always be presented together with your valid national licence. Note that some countries issue official government IDPs only through authorized bodies (in the US, AAA and AATA).
10
How long does it take to get an IDP for Vatican City?
With International Driver Licence you receive your digital IDP by email in as fast as 8 minutes — a printable 16-page convention-format PDF booklet plus a QR-verifiable wallet card you can keep on your phone. That makes it practical even if you're already at the airport or the rental counter.
Driving from Vatican City to neighbouring countries
100% money-back guarantee
Full refund if your permit is ever declined.
Unlimited replacements
Lost or damaged? Re-download or reprint, free.
24/7 support
Help before and during your trip, any hour.