Do you need an International Driving Permit in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Bosnia and Herzegovina and the road traffic conventions

Which vehicles your permit covers in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina applies the vehicle classes set out by the 1968 Vienna Convention. Your permit only covers the classes that are already on your national licence, so a category you do not hold at home is not granted by the permit.

• A
• B
• C
• D
• BE, CE, DE

What each category covers under the 1968 Vienna Convention

What to carry when you drive in Bosnia and Herzegovina

An International Driving Permit never replaces your national licence. It is a standardised translation that local police and rental desks can read, and it is only valid alongside the licence it was issued against. Carry both, and keep your passport handy at rental pickup, since most rental companies ask to see all three before releasing a vehicle.

Our document reproduces your licence details across 12 languages in the booklet format the conventions describe, so an officer who reads none of them in your alphabet can still find your name, date of birth and vehicle classes:

• English
• French
• Spanish
• Portuguese
• Italian
• German
• Russian
• Arabic
• Chinese
• Japanese
• Thai
• Vietnamese

What the road rules say in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The UK Foreign Office advises carrying an International Driving Permit alongside your national licence in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Blood alcohol limit

0.03%

Emergency services

general 112, police 122, ambulance 124, fire 123

The UK Foreign Office names the 1968 convention for Bosnia and Herzegovina, which matches the United Nations depositary record above.

Common questions about driving in Bosnia and Herzegovina

How long is an International Driving Permit valid in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Up to 3 years. Bosnia and Herzegovina joined the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic on 1 September 1993 by succession, and that convention sets the maximum at 3 years from the date of issue, or until your national licence expires if that comes first.

Can I drive in Bosnia and Herzegovina on my national licence alone?

The UK Foreign Office states: "If you’re renting or using someone else’s vehicle within the country, you must also have the 1968 version of the international driving permit (IDP) with you in the car." Rules differ by the country that issued your licence and by how long you stay, so confirm with Bosnia and Herzegovina's road authority before you travel.

What do I dial in an emergency in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Reach general on 112, police on 122, ambulance on 124, fire on 123. The UK Foreign Office publishes these numbers for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Save them before you drive, since you will not want to be searching for them at the roadside.

What is the drink-drive limit in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

0.03% blood alcohol. That is lower than many drivers expect, and a single drink can put you over it.

Does the permit replace my driving licence in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

No. It is a translation of the licence you already hold and has no effect on its own. You must carry your original national licence with it at all times.