International Driving Permit for Bahrain

Do you need an IDP to drive in Bahrain?

Tourists renting a car should carry an IDP with their national licence; rental agencies often require one. An International Driving Permit is an official translation of your national driver's licence into multiple languages — it never replaces your home licence, so always carry both, along with your passport.

What to carry when driving in Bahrain

• Your valid national driver's licence
• Your International Driving Permit (IDP)
• Your passport and rental documents

How to get your IDP for Bahrain

You don't need to visit an office. Get your International Driving Permit online with International DL in minutes — we translate your licence into the official UN-convention languages and issue your IDP digitally, ready before you fly.

Which permit Bahrain recognises

Bahrain is party to the 1949 Geneva Convention. A permit issued under that treaty is the one recognised there; a Vienna-only permit may not be accepted.

Treaty status per the United Nations treaty depositary: 1949 Geneva Convention · 1968 Vienna Convention

Driving on the Right-hand side in Bahrain

Bahrain drives on the RIGHT. If you normally drive on the left, allow time to adjust — roundabouts, junctions and overtaking all run the opposite way, and most rental cars will have the gear shift on your right.

The legal minimum driving age in Bahrain is 18. Rental companies routinely set their own, higher minimum and often add a young-driver surcharge below 25.