Country driving guide · 2026
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Bhutan: 7 legal requirements + 8 other things worth knowing.
Required
Recommended
Good to know
Tick before you go
7 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
Valid passport and Bhutan visa/permit
UK and EU nationals need a passport valid for 6 months plus a Bhutan visa arranged in advance through a licensed tour operator, along with the Sustainable Development Fee receipt.
1949 IDP if driving personally
Bhutan recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit; carry it alongside your UK/EU photocard licence and obtain a temporary Bhutanese driving authorisation from the Road Safety and Transport Authority (RSTA) on arrival.
Local third-party insurance
UK/EU motor insurance and green cards are not valid; third-party insurance must be purchased locally through a Bhutanese insurer such as RICB or BIL before driving.
Drive on the LEFT
Bhutan drives on the left like the UK, so right-hand-drive vehicles are the norm and most rental/tour vehicles are RHD Indian-built models.
Speed limits are low
Typical limits are 50 km/h in urban areas and 30-40 km/h on the narrow, winding national highways; there are no motorways in Bhutan.
Zero-tolerance alcohol limit
The BAC limit is effectively 0.00 g/L for drivers; drink-driving carries heavy fines, licence suspension and possible imprisonment.
Seatbelts and no mobile phones
Front seatbelts are mandatory, handheld mobile phone use while driving is prohibited, and horns must not be used in Thimphu (the only national capital with no traffic lights, directed instead by police).
Bhutan requires all international visitors to travel with a licensed Bhutanese tour operator, and tourists are normally driven by a hired Bhutanese driver rather than renting a self-drive car.
UK and EU nationals need a passport valid for 6 months plus a Bhutan visa arranged in advance through a licensed tour operator, along with the Sustainable Development Fee receipt.
Bhutan recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit; carry it alongside your UK/EU photocard licence and obtain a temporary Bhutanese driving authorisation from the Road Safety and Transport Authority (RSTA) on arrival.
UK/EU motor insurance and green cards are not valid; third-party insurance must be purchased locally through a Bhutanese insurer such as RICB or BIL before driving.
Bhutan drives on the left like the UK, so right-hand-drive vehicles are the norm and most rental/tour vehicles are RHD Indian-built models.
Typical limits are 50 km/h in urban areas and 30-40 km/h on the narrow, winding national highways; there are no motorways in Bhutan.
The BAC limit is effectively 0.00 g/L for drivers; drink-driving carries heavy fines, licence suspension and possible imprisonment.
Front seatbelts are mandatory, handheld mobile phone use while driving is prohibited, and horns must not be used in Thimphu (the only national capital with no traffic lights, directed instead by police).
Bhutan has no motorway network, no vignette system and no electronic road tolls; the Sustainable Development Fee (USD 100/night for most visitors) covers road infrastructure contributions.
High passes such as Thrumshingla (3,750 m) and Dochula (3,100 m) can close due to snow and landslides from December to March; 4x4 with good tyres and snow chains are advisable in winter.
The summer monsoon causes frequent landslides and road washouts on the east-west highway; expect long delays and check RSTA/Bhutan Police updates before travelling between dzongkhags.
There are no legally mandated in-car items, but a spare wheel, jack, first-aid kit and torch are strongly advised given remote roads, limited mobile coverage and scarce roadside assistance.
Indian Rupees are widely accepted (except INR 500/2000 notes); cards are accepted in Thimphu and Paro hotels but cash is essential elsewhere, and ATMs are limited.
Petrol costs around BTN 90-100 per litre (roughly EUR 1.00-1.10/L) and diesel slightly less; fuel stations are sparse outside main towns, so refuel whenever possible on long routes.
Amounts over USD 10,000 equivalent must be declared at the border; dial 113 for police, 112 for ambulance and 110 for fire in an emergency.
We'll build the itinerary, estimate fuel + tolls, and show EV chargers along the route, and this checklist appears automatically on every trip that crosses into Bhutan.
Start planning →Places to add to your Bhutan road trip.
Don't get caught out
Bhutan drives on the left like the UK, so right-hand-drive vehicles are the norm and most rental/tour vehicles are RHD Indian-built models.
Typical limits are 50 km/h in urban areas and 30-40 km/h on the narrow, winding national highways; there are no motorways in Bhutan.
The BAC limit is effectively 0.00 g/L for drivers; drink-driving carries heavy fines, licence suspension and possible imprisonment.
Front seatbelts are mandatory, handheld mobile phone use while driving is prohibited, and horns must not be used in Thimphu (the only national capital with no traffic lights, directed instead by police).