Guide to Driving In Syria - Drive Safe in Syria

By law it’s only the passengers of hire cars that need to wear seat belts. If you’re in a local car that has belts, we highly recommend that you use them.

You will need to have your driving licence and an international driving licence as well as the vehicle registration documents, car hire documents and a valid certificate of insurance with a minimum of third party cover. 

You have to be at least 18 to be able to drive in Syria. If you're renting a car the minimum age is 21 and if you’re under 25 years old, a premium for being an inexperienced driver may apply. You must also have held your licence for between a year and three years depending on the car hire company.

You are allowed to use safety camera detection equipment in Syria but we do not recommend it. Local driving skills are such that keeping within the speed limit at all times is highly recommended.

Currently, many parts of the country are anarchic and you may be stopped for no particular reason and asked to pay a fine in cash. In the government held areas this is less common and by law you should be issued with a fine notice detailing the offence and the fine to be paid.

No children under 12 are allowed to travel in the front of a vehicle despite the fact you’ll see many sat on the driver’s lap! There are no regulations for appropriate seating but if you are hiring a car from us, let us know the age of the children travelling with you and we’ll ensure appropriate seating is fitted in readiness for your arrival.

A minimum of third party insurance is compulsory in Syria and you must be able to prove it with a valid certificate.

In Syria, there is zero tolerance of alcohol in the blood whilst driving as it is a strictly Muslim country. If you are caught with any alcohol in your bloodstream you can face a large fine, imprisonment and expulsion from the country.

There are no towing regulations in Syria but if you transport anything it must not be longer or wider than the vehicle.

Fixed speed cameras haven’t made it to Syria yet but hand held speed cameras are often used in roadside speed checks. Getting caught by one means you’ll be given a ticket detailing the fine you’ll have to pay and where and when to pay it. In unsettled times, you may find that police will ask for cash on the spot and, whilst this is illegal, you should weigh up the situation before making a stand. 

Using a mobile phone without a hands-free kit is illegal in Syria.

Traffic lights in Syria are only common in the main cities and bigger towns. They follow the sequencing laid down in the Vienna Convention and will be familiar to almost all drivers. 

There are no toll roads in Syria