1968 IDP required alongside UK/EU licence
RequiredKyrgyzstan recognises the 1968 Vienna Convention International Driving Permit; carry it with your home licence and passport at all times.
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Country driving guide · 2026
Driving in Kyrgyzstan
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Kyrgyzstan: 9 legal requirements + 7 other things worth knowing.
9
Required
2
Recommended
5
Good to know
Tick before you go
Pre-departure checklist for Kyrgyzstan
9 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
1968 IDP required alongside UK/EU licence
Kyrgyzstan recognises the 1968 Vienna Convention International Driving Permit; carry it with your home licence and passport at all times.
Local OSAGO insurance at the border
Green Card is not valid; buy compulsory OSAGO third-party insurance at the border or in Bishkek, typically 800-2,500 KGS (about 8-25 EUR) depending on duration.
V5C and notarised permission for own car
Bring the V5C/registration document; if the car is not in your name carry a notarised letter of authority, and declare the vehicle on a temporary import document (TIP) at customs valid up to 60 days.
Drive on the right
Traffic drives on the right; many local cars are right-hand-drive Japanese imports which can make overtaking awkward.
Speed limits 60 / 90 / 110 km/h
Urban 60 km/h, rural 90 km/h, motorway/expressway 110 km/h; speed cameras are common on the Bishkek-Osh and Bishkek-Almaty routes.
Zero-tolerance alcohol limit 0.0 g/L
BAC limit is effectively 0.0 g/L; any detectable alcohol results in heavy fines, licence confiscation, or detention.
Seatbelts and hands-free only
Front seatbelts are mandatory, handheld phone use is banned, and dipped headlights must be used outside built-up areas at all times.
Warning triangle and first-aid kit
Cars must carry a warning triangle, first-aid kit, and fire extinguisher; hi-vis vest is recommended though not strictly enforced for foreign-plated cars.
Winter tyres November to March
Winter or all-season M+S tyres are required between 1 November and 1 March; snow chains are strongly advised for mountain passes.
Documents
Local OSAGO insurance at the border
RequiredGreen Card is not valid; buy compulsory OSAGO third-party insurance at the border or in Bishkek, typically 800-2,500 KGS (about 8-25 EUR) depending on duration.
V5C and notarised permission for own car
RequiredBring the V5C/registration document; if the car is not in your name carry a notarised letter of authority, and declare the vehicle on a temporary import document (TIP) at customs valid up to 60 days.
Driving rules
Drive on the right
RequiredTraffic drives on the right; many local cars are right-hand-drive Japanese imports which can make overtaking awkward.
Speed limits 60 / 90 / 110 km/h
RequiredUrban 60 km/h, rural 90 km/h, motorway/expressway 110 km/h; speed cameras are common on the Bishkek-Osh and Bishkek-Almaty routes.
Zero-tolerance alcohol limit 0.0 g/L
RequiredBAC limit is effectively 0.0 g/L; any detectable alcohol results in heavy fines, licence confiscation, or detention.
Seatbelts and hands-free only
RequiredFront seatbelts are mandatory, handheld phone use is banned, and dipped headlights must be used outside built-up areas at all times.
Police checkpoints and informal fines
RecommendedGAI traffic police set up checkpoints especially near Bishkek and Osh; always request an official receipt (kvitantsiya) if fined and avoid paying cash on the spot.
Emergency number 112
Good to knowDial 112 for all emergencies; 102 reaches traffic police and 103 reaches ambulance directly, though response times outside cities can be very slow.
Required equipment
Warning triangle and first-aid kit
RequiredCars must carry a warning triangle, first-aid kit, and fire extinguisher; hi-vis vest is recommended though not strictly enforced for foreign-plated cars.
Tolls
No motorway tolls or vignettes
Good to knowKyrgyzstan has no vignette system and no toll roads; all roads including the M41 Pamir Highway and Bishkek-Osh route are free to use.
Environment
Mountain passes closed in winter
RecommendedTöö-Ashuu, Ala-Bel, and Taldyk passes can close from November to April due to snow and avalanche risk; check conditions before attempting the Bishkek-Osh or Pamir routes.
Winter tyres November to March
RequiredWinter or all-season M+S tyres are required between 1 November and 1 March; snow chains are strongly advised for mountain passes.
Money
Currency som, fuel about 0.65 EUR/L
Good to knowCurrency is the Kyrgyz som (KGS); AI-92 petrol costs roughly 60-65 KGS/litre (about 0.62-0.68 EUR), and cash is essential outside Bishkek as cards are rarely accepted at rural fuel stations.
Cash declaration over 10,000 USD
Good to knowAmounts above the equivalent of 10,000 USD must be declared at customs; under that no declaration is needed for personal travel.
Emissions / low-emission zones
No low-emission zones
Good to knowKyrgyzstan has no LEZ or environmental sticker scheme; Bishkek has serious winter smog but no driving restrictions for foreign vehicles.
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Don't get caught out
Watch out for these
Drive on the right
RequiredTraffic drives on the right; many local cars are right-hand-drive Japanese imports which can make overtaking awkward.
Speed limits 60 / 90 / 110 km/h
RequiredUrban 60 km/h, rural 90 km/h, motorway/expressway 110 km/h; speed cameras are common on the Bishkek-Osh and Bishkek-Almaty routes.
Zero-tolerance alcohol limit 0.0 g/L
RequiredBAC limit is effectively 0.0 g/L; any detectable alcohol results in heavy fines, licence confiscation, or detention.
Seatbelts and hands-free only
RequiredFront seatbelts are mandatory, handheld phone use is banned, and dipped headlights must be used outside built-up areas at all times.