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South Africa licence Albania

Driving in Albania with a South Africa license

Short answer: to drive in Albania with a South Africa license you need an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna format, carried together with your South Africa license.

Bring an IDP

Yes — to drive in Albania on an South Africa licence you should carry an International Driving Permit together with your South Africa licence. Albania expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP.

Convention basisAlbania uses the format of the 1968 Vienna Convention. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.

At the rental deskTirana airport desks ask for an IDP alongside a non-EU licence.

CarryCarry BOTH your South Africa national licence and the IDP at all times. The IDP is a translation of your licence and never replaces it.

Minimum age18+ to drive; rental typically 21+ with a young-driver surcharge under 25

Validity1–3 years (you choose at checkout)

FormatDigital PDF you print yourself, plus a QR-verifiable ID card — accepted alongside printed permits

Last verified June 2026Source: 1968 Vienna Convention

Get my IDP for Albania Full Albania guide

South African drivers should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their licence when driving abroad. Your International Driving Permit is a certified multilingual translation of your existing licence, prepared in the 1968 Vienna format and carried alongside your national licence.

Driving rules in Albania

Drive on the right; overtake on the left.
Headlights on at all times, day and night.
0.01% alcohol limit — effectively zero tolerance.
Seatbelts mandatory for all occupants.

Common questions

Can I drive in Albania with a South Africa license?

to drive in Albania with a South Africa license you need an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna format, carried together with your South Africa license. Albania uses the format of the 1968 Vienna Convention. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.

Is my South Africa driver's license valid in Albania?

Yes — to drive in Albania on an South Africa licence you should carry an International Driving Permit together with your South Africa licence. Albania expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP.

Do I need an International Driving Permit for Albania?

Yes — to drive in Albania on an South Africa licence you should carry an International Driving Permit together with your South Africa licence. Albania expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP.

Can I rent a car in Albania with a South Africa license?

Tirana airport desks ask for an IDP alongside a non-EU licence.

What IDP format does Albania accept?

Albania uses the format of the 1968 Vienna Convention. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.

How do I get an International Driving Permit for Albania?

An International Driving Permit is a certified multilingual translation of your existing South Africa license. You apply online, and it is issued as a printable PDF booklet with a QR-verifiable ID card in the 1968 Vienna format Albania uses — carried alongside your South Africa license.

Do I still carry my South Africa license?

Carry BOTH your South Africa national licence and the IDP at all times. The IDP is a translation of your licence and never replaces it.