Do you need an International Driving Permit in San Marino?
Yes. San Marino 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
- 20 July 1970
San Marino and the road traffic conventions
| Convention | Status | In force since | Permit validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 Vienna Convention | Ratified | 20 July 1970 | 3 years |
| 1949 Geneva Convention | Acceded | 19 March 1962 | 1 year |
Which vehicles your permit covers in San Marino
San Marino 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 to carry when you drive in San Marino
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 San Marino
The UK Foreign Office and the Government of Canada both advise carrying an International Driving Permit alongside your national licence in San Marino.
- Blood alcohol limit
- 0.05%
- Emergency services
- ambulance 118, fire 115
The UK Foreign Office names the 1968 convention for San Marino, which matches the United Nations depositary record above.
Common questions about driving in San Marino
- How long is an International Driving Permit valid in San Marino?
- Up to 3 years. San Marino joined the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic on 20 July 1970 by ratification, 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 San Marino on my national licence alone?
- The UK Foreign Office states: "You’ll need to have both the 1968 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 San Marino's road authority before you travel.
- What do I dial in an emergency in San Marino?
- Reach ambulance on 118, fire on 115. The UK Foreign Office publishes these numbers for San Marino. 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 San Marino?
- 0.05% 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 San Marino?
- 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.
Driving in San Marino?
Get your International Driver's License Translation in 5 minutes. Digital delivery, valid in 195+ countries.
Start my applicationSources
- 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.