Country guide — International Driving Permit
Palestinian International Driving Permit in Saudi Arabia
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Short answer
Saudi Arabia is on our guidance list and, like Palestine, has been a party to the 1968 Vienna road-traffic convention (since 2016). Carry the IDP with your valid Palestinian licence and passport. How long a visitor may drive depends on the visa type and stay, so check before you travel.
The legal basis: international road-traffic conventions
Saudi Arabia has been a party to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic since 2016 (it is not a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention), and Palestine joined the Vienna Convention in 2019 — so both are under the same convention.
Driving during a visit or Umrah
If you plan to rent a car to travel between cities during a visit or Umrah, get the IDP before you travel and always keep it with your Palestinian licence and passport.
Car-rental companies may ask for the IDP together with your Palestinian licence, passport and a credit card — terms differ by company. Ask the company about its conditions and insurance cover before you book.
Visitor or resident?
The IDP is for visits and travel, not a substitute for a Saudi licence if you live in the Kingdom. If you hold residence, check with the General Department of Traffic about a local licence.
Watch the validity
The IDP is valid for a year from issue, but it stops working if your Palestinian licence expires first. Check both dates before you travel.
How long can you drive in Saudi Arabia as a visitor?
How long a visitor may drive on a foreign licence depends on the length of stay and the type of visa. Check with the country’s embassy or official traffic authority before you travel — don’t rely on unofficial websites.
Get your IDP in Palestine
The IDP is issued by the Palestinian Motor Sports and Motorcycles Federation, and Tasheel is its accredited agent. It costs 150 ILS, is ready in about one working day once your documents are complete, and is valid for one year from issue. Full details in our step-by-step IDP guide.
- Clear copy of your passport bio page (valid)
- Valid Palestinian driving licence — front (back recommended)
- Recent personal photo on a white background
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an IDP to drive during Umrah?
If you will drive in Saudi Arabia as a visitor, carry the IDP with your Palestinian licence. Rental companies may ask for it — check their terms before booking.
How long can a visitor drive in Saudi Arabia?
How long a visitor may drive on a foreign licence depends on the length of stay and the type of visa. Check with the country’s embassy or official traffic authority before you travel — don’t rely on unofficial websites.
Does the IDP work for residents of Saudi Arabia?
Don’t rely on it as a permanent substitute. The IDP is for visits; residents should check with the General Department of Traffic about a local licence.
Is the IDP enough on its own to drive in Saudi Arabia?
No. The IDP is always carried with your valid Palestinian driving licence; it is never used on its own.
Request your IDP now
150 ILS · ready in about one working day · valid one year. A real team answers on WhatsApp.
Sources
- UN Treaty Collection — Convention on Road Traffic, Geneva 1949 (status)
- UN Treaty Collection — Convention on Road Traffic, Vienna 1968 (status)
This is guidance; rules can change at any time. Always check your destination’s rules before you travel.
