Driving in Iran

What to expect on Iran's roads, and the full picture on licences for foreigners — driving on a foreign licence or IDP, converting it, getting an Iranian licence, and renewals.

Driving in Iran presents many challenges compared with Western countries. Road conditions vary widely, from well-maintained highways to rough, potholed roads (especially in rural areas), and in cities like Tehran and Qum congestion is common at peak hours.

The driving culture can seem chaotic to newcomers: liberal use of the horn, a high tolerance for close calls and manoeuvres, loose lane discipline and frequent lane-changing without signalling. Although the traffic laws themselves are similar to those in the West, enforcement varies, and many drivers openly flout the rules — speeding, running red lights, ignoring pedestrians and double-parking. Roundabouts work much as they do elsewhere but expect aggressive merging, and intersections can be a free-for-all, with right-of-way often ignored. Rural roads bring their own hazards: narrower lanes, potholes, unmarked obstacles and the occasional careless pedestrian. The horn, importantly, is mostly used to communicate — to signal passing or announce one’s presence — rather than to vent frustration.

Overall, driving here takes patience, vigilance and adaptability. Some of it may seem shocking at first, but understanding the local driving culture and following basic safety precautions goes a long way towards a safer experience.

Licence requirements

To drive legally in Iran you must hold a valid driving licence. Driving without one carries significant legal risk: although officers are relaxed and rarely run checks, if you’re involved in an accident, failing to produce a valid licence can lead to severe and immediate penalties — hefty fines, vehicle impoundment, even imprisonment. Foreigners have four options.

Using a foreign driver’s licence

You may drive on a foreign licence for up to 180 days from entering the country (after which you’ll need an Iranian licence to continue), provided you have:

• Your original, valid licence — valid for the type of vehicle you’re driving (car, motorcycle, etc.)
• A translation of the licence by the embassy of the issuing country, endorsed with the embassy stamp
• A copy of the first page of your passport and the entry-stamp page
• A copy of Article 22 of the driving licence issuance regulation, endorsed with the Traffic Police stamp

Using an International Driving Permit (IDP)

An IDP translates your licence details into several languages (usually including Persian). Foreign nationals with an IDP may drive for 180 days from the date of entry (again, an Iranian licence is needed after that), provided the IDP is valid and accompanied by your original foreign licence.

Converting a foreign licence to an Iranian one

Iranian law permits the conversion of foreign licences from certain countries. Depending on the country, you may need to pass written and/or practical tests, though this can be waived for countries with reciprocal agreements. At present, licences from the following countries can be converted:

Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guinea, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Zimbabwe.

To convert a licence from one of these countries:

1. Obtain a letter from the Immigration Police for the Traffic Police. Bring your original passport (with valid residence permit) and a 3 cm × 4 cm passport-sized photo.
2. Attest your foreign licence at the embassy of the issuing country in Iran.
3. Get an official translation of the licence and the embassy-approved request from a translation office in Qum.
4. Pay the fees (approx. $2) at any “Police +10” office around Qum.
5. Get proof of address from the Post Office in Pardisan — give the clerk your postal code to receive a written certificate of address.
6. Submit your documents to the Traffic Police: original passport (with valid residence permit), two 3 cm × 4 cm photos, the Police +10 payment receipts, and the proof of address.

Getting an Iranian driver’s licence

If the options above aren’t available — or your foreign licence/IDP period has expired — you can apply for an Iranian licence:

1. Visit the Immigration Police to obtain a letter for the Traffic Police. Bring your original passport (with valid residence permit) and a 3 cm × 4 cm photo; digital fingerprints will be taken and printed.
2. Background check at the General Security Police — take the printed fingerprints there. Results are usually ready within two days and must be collected and returned to the Immigration Police.
3. Electronic submission to Tehran — the Immigration Police send your details to Tehran for further checks; if all is well, an authorisation letter is sent automatically to the Traffic Police.
4. Register at the Traffic Police about two weeks later to request a licence; you’ll be registered and given a unique code.
5. Register with a driving school the same day, using that code. Pay the fees and get instructions for a medical check from one of the listed doctors before lessons begin.
6. Medical check — complete it, then return to the driving school to start lessons, both theory and practical.
7. Book the theory test — after lessons, collect your file from the Traffic Police and take it to the driving school to book the test (held at the Traffic Police).
8. Book the practical exam — once you pass the theory, return to the driving school after 10 days to book it; they’ll tell you where it’s held.
9. Final paperwork and issuance — after passing the practical, complete the remaining paperwork at the driving school. Your licence is then posted to you. Note that a foreigner’s licence is valid for one year only.

Driving schools

Licence renewal

Renewing a licence is similar to first applying and may take several visits to government offices:

1. Visit the Immigration Police with your original passport (with valid residence permit), Iranian licence and a 3 cm × 4 cm photo. They print your previously taken fingerprints, which must be stamped by an officer at another desk before going to the General Security Police.
2. Background check at the General Security Police — results usually ready within two days, then returned to the Immigration Police.
3. Electronic submission to Tehran — once authorised, an electronic letter is sent to the Traffic Police automatically (normally about a week).
4. Visit the Traffic Police — you’ll receive a letter for an authorised physician’s medical exam, and be told the renewal fees to pay at Police +10.
5. Medical check — visit one of the listed doctors for a basic exam (vision, hearing, mobility); results are sent electronically to the Traffic Police, and the remaining steps can usually be done the next day.
6. Pay the fees (approx. $2) at any Police +10 office.
7. Get proof of address from the Post Office in Pardisan, using your postal code.
8. Submit documents to the Traffic Police — buy a folder from the kiosk outside the building and include: original passport (with valid residence permit), original Iranian licence, a photocopy of your passport and residence permit (copies can be made at the same kiosk), two recent 3 cm × 4 cm photos (the same photos as your previous licence won’t be accepted), the Police +10 receipts, and the proof of address.

On submitting everything you’ll be issued a receipt, which serves as a temporary driving permit — keep it safe until your new licence arrives by post.