International Driving Permit for Holy See
The Holy See, the world's smallest sovereign state, occupies a tiny walled enclave within Rome and has essentially no public road network for visitors. Vehicles within its grounds follow the right-side driving standard shared with Italy, but tourists explore the Vatican entirely on foot through St. Peter's Square and the museums.
Do you need an IDP to drive in Holy See?
The Vatican has no public roads to drive on and is entered on foot, so your EU or foreign licence plus an IDP only matter for driving in surrounding Italy.
Quick facts
- Driving side
- Right
- Minimum driving age
- 18 years
- Region
- Europe
- IDP
- Useful
Local languages: Italian, Latin
Driving in Holy See: key facts
- Any vehicle movement follows right-hand driving, consistent with surrounding Italy.
- The state is car-free for visitors, who enter the Vatican on foot rather than by car.
- Vatican licence plates carry the distinctive SCV designation, but there are no rental cars within the enclave.
How to get your IDP for Holy See
Getting your International Driving Permit for Holy See takes only a few minutes:
- 1Apply online
Complete a short application in about 2 minutes — no paperwork or appointments.
- 2Upload your documents
Add a photo of your national driving licence and a passport-style photo.
- 3Get your IDP instantly
Receive your digital International Driving Permit by email, ready to use in Holy See.
Frequently asked questions about driving in Holy See
Do I need an IDP to drive in the Holy See?
No, the Vatican has no public roads for visitors to drive on; an IDP is only relevant for driving in the surrounding city of Rome in Italy.
Can I rent a car in the Holy See?
No, there are no car-hire services inside the Vatican, and visitors access the state on foot from Italy.
What side of the road does the Holy See drive on?
Driving is on the right, in line with neighbouring Italy.
How do visitors get around the Holy See?
Visitors explore the Vatican entirely on foot, as the enclave is compact and not open to tourist vehicle traffic.
Other countries in Europe
International Driving Permit for Holy See
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