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Hello all.
Going to Jordan next month and driving a Sixt hire car around for a few days. I’ve driven in 25 or so other countries and never once needed an International Driving permit, but was told last year that I absolutely 100% positively definitely needed one for Albania – which of course I didn’t and was a waste of time. Naturally the IDP that’s needed for Jordan is different to the one for Albania so I can’t use that, but is there really any chance I’ll be asked for it? It never, ever happens anywhere else.
Thanks!
I seem to remember we were asked for it by Avis when hiring at Amman Airport.
Generally it is countries that don’t use the Latin alphabet that require the IDP, as there is a possibility you will come across officials who cannot read the Latin alphabet. Japan, for instance, is super strict on this.
Not being able to present it could also lead to issues with insurance if you have an accident, for instance. For the £5 and a 2min visit to the Post Office, why risk it?
The pointlessness of it is the biggest reason. I know you’re right and I will get it, it just irritates me (a lot more than it should). I was hoping that someone would say to definitely not bother!
I did get an IDP before my last trip to Jordan. The hire company (Budget) didn’t ask to see it (just took a copy of my UK licence) and the police weren’t interested in it when I got flagged down at a checkpoint on the highway either (policeman took a quick look at my UK licence and I was waved on my way).
I agree it’s not worth the risk not to have it though.
Really surprised to hear that you are required to have an IDP. I went to Jordan in Nov22 with only my UK one (don’t have a IDP) and was fine. Rented from EuropCar for a week.
Got flagged at a few checkpoints – showed my UK passport and was waived through
Car/driver hire was very reasonable. 90JOD from Petra to Amman. Takes the stress out of driving and hiring a car
Be careful of speed bumps there (sleeping policemen type), they can be nearly invisible at times, especially when the sun has disappeared for the day.
However though, when you’re driving a rental car, you’re not going to care at all about the car, but it definitely makes sure you’re awake !
I went to Jordan in 2021 for 2 weeks. Drove for 2 weeks. Didn’t need an IDP. Just used my standard UK licence. No issues.
Should also say that I recommend getting some excess insurance if you don’t already have a policy. Despite every single panel on the car I took out being marked or dinged in some way (and marked as such on the sheet) before I took it out, they still pinged me for “damage” when I brought it back! iCarHire Insurance paid out without trouble. A relatively small amount of money, but a clear shakedown…
They also tried to charge me an extra day’s hire for being unable to return it when they were actually closed on the contracted return day (the Prophet’s birthday!) Barriers down and everything – you couldn’t even drive onto the forecourt from the street. I did eventually get that waived! I ought to have charged them for garaging it!
Of course there’s a chance, but I wasn’t.
I’m contrast to @michaelr I returned my car hire (one way) trashed after some spirited desert driving. No charge.
I would not drive after dark outside of cities. Some rural folk drive with their lights off “to help them see better at night”.
100% agree on the speed bumps. It should be illegal to have them them so disguised with no street lights either. I had £200 of damage to the front of the rental. Amex platinum insurance covered it and paid out in a week so no issues
No problem not having an IDP a few years ago in Jordan, just make sure that the car you get has a working horn – everything seems to be communicated this way.
Also circles are roundabouts which can cause a bit of Sat Nav confusion when first hearing that.
Not sure if Waze works now, was very weird driving north and seeing roads on the other side of the dead sea but none in Jordan, until you understand the ownership.
Well, I can see that there’s zero chance I’ll need the thing, but PeteM has guilt-tripped me into getting it. Damn you PeteM!
I’ll definitely keep speed bumps in mind, although I’m not sure we’ll be driving that late (possibly will that early though). Hopefully not.
My excess insurance expires in the next week or two which is fine as it’s Europe only cover, so I’ll get appropriate cover before we go.
Thanks all!
Hahahahaha! You never need it until the day that you do and not having it does you over phenomenally…!
Dropped the car off this morning having driven a LOT of miles since Thursday – and didn’t once need the IDP, either for collection or for a Police stop (only had one of those, but he shooed me away when he realised I couldn’t speak Arabic). Thankfully between us we saw all of the speed bumps as well, so didn’t have any damage to worry about.
Thanks again all.
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