Driving in Azerbaijan

But if you’re planning a road trip all the way to Azerbaijan, it’s essential you’re fully prepared ahead of time as driving there has many differences to the UK. 

To make your trip to the Continent as safe and effortless as possible, we’ve put together a guide to everything you need to know before you go, from required documents to rules of the road.  

Driving a rented vehicle? Jump to the advice for driving a hire car in Azerbaijan section.

RAC European Breakdown Cover (Basic, Comprehensive and Single Trip) provides a wide range of benefits should you breakdown in Azerbaijan to ensure you stay safe. 

To supplement this, RAC also offers travel insurance. Cover will include medical expenses, baggage, personal money and belongings, among many other benefits.

• A valid, full UK driving licence (you must also be 18 or over)
• A GB sticker (required even if your car has EU registration plates that show the GB code on a blue background, as Azerbaijan is not part of the EU)
• Your motor insurance certificate (Azerbaijan is not a member of the European Green Card system, but insurance can be bought at the border)
• The V5 registration document for your own car or the hire car paperwork for a rental
• An International Driving Permit (1968 IDP – you won’t be able to buy one outside the UK, so get one before you go)

Aside from the documents above, there are some legally-required items you must bring with you to drive in Azerbaijan.

Unless your headlights can be adjusted, it's a legal requirement to carry headlamp converters (stickers for your headlights when driving on the right, so your lights don't dazzle motorists coming the other way).

A warning triangle is also compulsory to carry in vehicles in case of a breakdown.

You must also:

• Be 18 or over
• Make sure everyone in the car wears a seatbelt at all times
• Wear a crash helmet if you're riding a motorcycle

It's also recommended to have:

• Spare bulbs for your car's external lights
• A fire extinguisher 
• A first-aid kit
• A reflective jacket

You can pick up all the car kit you need from RAC Shop.

• Car insurance is mandatory for all motorists and this can be bought at the border. Make sure you have cash as not all borders will accept card 
• In Azerbaijan, you drive on the right and overtake on the left. Vehicles from the right and emergency vehicles have priority
• If you're caught committing a driving offence while driving through Azerbaijan, you could be given an on-the-spot fine. Do not pay this with cash on the roadside – pay at a police station or other nominated location
• Seat belts should be worn in all seats at all times
• Children under the age of 12 are not allowed to sit in the front seat and must use an appropriate child safety seat relative to their height and weight
• The drink-drive limit for all drivers is strictly 0.00%
• Speed camera detectors and radar devices are illegal in Azerbaijan

Speed limits vary across Azerbaijan, so always check the signposts for maximum speeds. In urban areas, the limit is 60km/h unless in residential zones, where it is 20km/h unless otherwise signposted. Outside these areas, the limit is 90km/h. On the motorway, the limit is 110km/h

• As of July 2019, there are no toll roads in Azerbaijan, however the Azerbaijani government has recently announced its intention to introduce tolls so check local media ahead of time for the current requirements
• Unleaded petrol and diesel are readily available. Payment can be made in cash and some will accept credit cards
• The standard of main roads in Azerbaijan can vary dramatically. Generally, roads in and into Baku are well-maintained but in rural areas – particularly those in mountainous regions – road quality can vary significantly, so take extra precautions 
• The standard of driving in Azerbaijan can be more erratic than in other European countries, so keep your wits about you behind the wheel
• Roads can be poorly illuminated, particularly in rural areas, so avoid driving after dark if possible
• During winter months, severe snowfall can cause numerous issues on the road
• Thanks to significant investment and the city’s hosting of high-profile events like the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the roads in the capital Baku are generally good quality. However, parking can be difficult and locals don’t always respect traffic laws
• Political demonstrations are common in Baku and while these are largely peaceful, there has been violence on occasion so avoid any large gatherings
• The Nagorno-Karabakh region remains largely off-limits for foreigner visitors, with the border areas between Azerbaijan and Armenia heavily militarised and containing mines and unexploded ordnance. Consular assistance is not available in this region

In an emergency

112 - Here's a really important bit of knowledge; you can dial 112 from anywhere in Europe and an operator will connect you to an emergency service in the country you're visiting.

Operators can answer your call in their native language, English or French.

Breaking down in Azerbaijan

RAC offers great-value, flexible RAC European breakdown cover tailored to meet your needs. We also offer comprehensive travel insurance, including cover for medical expenses, baggage, personal money and belongings.

Not all of the information in the guide above will be relevant to those looking to rent a hire car in Azerbaijan.

Though it might be a good idea to read through everything anyway, here are the most important things to know for drivers of rental vehicles:

Rental information

• The minimum age to hire a car is 21, although some rental companies may apply a surcharge
• You need a full, valid UK driving licence and usually a second proof of ID (passport)
• Some car rental companies ask that you have held your licence for a minimum term - check with your hire company first
• Most companies require you to use a credit card for deposit
• You may not be able to drive outside of Azerbaijan unless planned in advance - check with your hire company first
• Make sure you get car hire excess insurance before your trip to protect yourself from unexpected costs. It's almost always cheaper to do this with a separate insurer and in advance

Hire car driving tips

• In Azerbaijan they drive on the right and overtake on the left - the opposite to the UK
• The national speed limit on Azerbaijani motorways is 110km/h (68mph). On a main road outside a built-up area it's 90 km/h. For built-up areas it’s normally 60km/h, unless you're in a residential area where it will be 20km/h
• Dial 112 in an emergency
• It’s compulsory to wear seat belts in the front and rear seats
• The blood alcohol content limit for drivers of private vehicles is strictly zero

UK Government travel advice

See up-to-date travel advice