Iraq car rentals

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While it is possible to rent a car in Iraq, this is only advised in the relatively safe area of Kurdistan (main city: Erbil). A few international rental agencies such as Hertz and Europcar operate here, and roads in the surrounding region are generally well maintained. Driving is often chaotic, and the use of hazard lights is very important to signal to other drivers when slowing down, changing lanes, or turning.

The minimum age to rent a car in Iraq is 23 for globally recognized agencies like Hertz. Drivers must have been in possession of their domestic driving license for a minimum of 2 years, and you must display both an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) and a passport to pick up a vehicle. Identifying documents must be provided in the Roman alphabet; otherwise, an official translation will be required in addition to the documents.

Petrol is relatively inexpensive in Iraq, a liter of petrol costing around 715 IQD (0.63 USD), which is about the same as 2.38 USD per gallon. Most petrol stations only take payment in cash and may operate during irregular hours. Especially when traveling outside urban areas, it is recommended to carry an extra can of fuel and to fill up whenever possible.

While speed limits do exist in Iraq, they are not often observed by other drivers or enforced by the police. In general, drivers should stick to a maximum speed of 60 km/h (37 mph) in well developed areas and 120 km/h (75 mph) on open highways. As road conditions can be poor—e.g., flooding and loose surfaces—it is always best to travel at a lower speed for safety.