International Driving Permit for Vatican City
Vatican City drives on the right, mirroring Italy that completely surrounds it, though the world's smallest state has only a handful of internal roads reserved largely for official vehicles. For visitors, almost all practical driving happens in Rome, where Italian traffic rules, congestion and restricted ZTL zones apply.
Do you need an IDP to drive in Vatican City?
You do not realistically need to drive inside Vatican City, but if you drive in surrounding Rome an IDP is useful alongside your national licence.
Quick facts
- Driving side
- Right
- Minimum driving age
- 18 years
- Region
- Europe
- IDP
- Useful
Local languages: Italian, Latin
Driving in Vatican City: key facts
- The Vatican issues its own vehicle registration plates (prefixed SCV) but has no public road network for tourists to drive on.
- Access by car into Vatican territory is tightly controlled and generally limited to clergy, residents and authorised personnel.
- Driving in the surrounding city of Rome means observing Italy's limited-traffic ZTL zones, where camera-enforced fines for unauthorised entry are common.
How to get your IDP for Vatican City
Getting your International Driving Permit for Vatican City 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 Vatican City.
Frequently asked questions about driving in Vatican City
Do I need an IDP to drive in Vatican City?
There is no general public driving inside Vatican City, but for the surrounding Italian roads an IDP is useful and is recommended if your licence is not in Italian or English.
Can I rent a car in Vatican City?
Car rental is handled through agencies in Rome rather than the Vatican itself, and they accept a valid foreign licence, often alongside an IDP.
What side of the road does Vatican City drive on?
Vatican City drives on the right-hand side, the same as neighbouring Italy.
What is the minimum age to drive in Vatican City?
The minimum driving age applicable is 18, in line with Italian rules, though rental firms in Rome usually require drivers to be at least 21.
Other countries in Europe
International Driving Permit for Vatican City
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