Do you need an International Driving Permit in Maldives?

Yes. Maldives is a party to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, which recognises an International Driving Permit valid for up to 3 years when carried with your national licence.

Convention: 1968 Vienna Convention
Permit valid up to: 3 years
In force since: 9 January 2023

Maldives and the road traffic conventions

Convention	Status	In force since	Permit validity
1968 Vienna Convention	Acceded	9 January 2023	3 years
1949 Geneva Convention	Not a party	—	—

Which vehicles your permit covers in Maldives

Maldives 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.

The English page of the International Driving Agency booklet, listing vehicle categories A to E — The English page of our booklet, showing the same categories an officer in Maldives would read.

A
B
C
D
BE, CE, DE

What each category covers under the 1968 Vienna Convention

What to carry when you drive in Maldives

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

The inside cover of the booklet, listing the contracting states where the permit is recognised — The inside cover lists the contracting states. Maldives appears on it.

What the road rules say in Maldives

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

Traffic drives on: The left
Emergency services: police 119, ambulance 102, fire 118

Common questions about driving in Maldives

How long is an International Driving Permit valid in Maldives?: Up to 3 years. Maldives joined the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic on 9 January 2023 by accession, 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 Maldives on my national licence alone?: The UK Foreign Office states: "You’ll need to have both the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence with you in the car." Rules differ by the country that issued your licence and by how long you stay, so confirm with Maldives's road authority before you travel.
Which side of the road does Maldives drive on?: The left. If you normally drive on the right, take extra care at junctions and roundabouts for the first few days, and consider an automatic hire car so you are not also changing gear with the other hand.
What do I dial in an emergency in Maldives?: Reach police on 119, ambulance on 102, fire on 118. The UK Foreign Office publishes these numbers for Maldives. Save them before you drive, since you will not want to be searching for them at the roadside.
Does the permit replace my driving licence in Maldives?: 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.

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Sources

Convention on Road Traffic (Vienna, 8 November 1968) United Nations Treaty Collection, 91 parties. Checked 4 August 2026.
Convention on Road Traffic (Geneva, 19 September 1949) United Nations Treaty Collection, 103 parties. Checked 4 August 2026.