Country driving guide · 2026
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Lebanon: 8 legal requirements + 9 other things worth knowing.
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Tick before you go
8 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
1949 IDP required alongside national licence
Lebanon recognises the 1949 Geneva International Driving Permit, which UK drivers obtain over the counter at the Post Office for GBP 5.50; carry it with your photocard licence and passport at all times.
Local third-party insurance is mandatory
UK/EU green cards are not valid in Lebanon, so you must buy local compulsory third-party (orange card) cover at the border or from a Lebanese insurer; expect roughly USD 50-100 for a short policy.
Drive on the right
Lebanon drives on the right and overtakes on the left, which is a switch for UK and Irish drivers.
Speed limits 100 / 70 / 50 km/h
Motorway limit is 100 km/h, rural roads 70 km/h and urban areas 50 km/h, though signage is inconsistent and rarely enforced outside Beirut.
Zero-tolerance alcohol limit 0.0 g/L
Lebanon enforces a 0.0 g/L blood-alcohol limit for all drivers: do not drink anything before driving.
Seatbelts front and rear
Seatbelts are compulsory for all occupants and children under 5 must use a child seat; hand-held mobile phone use while driving is banned.
Avoid border areas and the south
Do not drive to the Syrian border, Palestinian refugee camps, southern suburbs of Beirut (Dahieh) or south of the Litani river; military checkpoints will turn foreigners back and the area remains subject to Israeli strikes.
Emergency number 112
Dial 112 for police, 140 for Red Cross ambulance and 175 for fire; response times outside Beirut can be very slow.
UK Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to Lebanon due to the volatile security situation; UK car insurance and breakdown cover will be void, and most rental firms will not hire to foreign visitors.
Lebanon recognises the 1949 Geneva International Driving Permit, which UK drivers obtain over the counter at the Post Office for GBP 5.50; carry it with your photocard licence and passport at all times.
UK/EU green cards are not valid in Lebanon, so you must buy local compulsory third-party (orange card) cover at the border or from a Lebanese insurer; expect roughly USD 50-100 for a short policy.
Police checkpoints are frequent and will ask for passport, vehicle registration (V5C if your own car) and proof of legal entry; keep originals plus photocopies in the glovebox.
Dial 112 for police, 140 for Red Cross ambulance and 175 for fire; response times outside Beirut can be very slow.
Lebanon drives on the right and overtakes on the left, which is a switch for UK and Irish drivers.
Motorway limit is 100 km/h, rural roads 70 km/h and urban areas 50 km/h, though signage is inconsistent and rarely enforced outside Beirut.
Lebanon enforces a 0.0 g/L blood-alcohol limit for all drivers: do not drink anything before driving.
Lane discipline, indicators and red lights are widely ignored, scooters weave through traffic, and unlit vehicles are common at night; drive defensively and avoid driving after dark outside cities.
Seatbelts are compulsory for all occupants and children under 5 must use a child seat; hand-held mobile phone use while driving is banned.
No specific in-car kit list is enforced, but carry a warning triangle, hi-vis vest, torch and a serviceable spare wheel as breakdown assistance outside Beirut is limited.
Lebanese motorways and trunk roads are free to use. There is no vignette, sticker or toll booth network.
Lebanon has no LEZ, Crit'Air-style sticker scheme or city emissions restrictions; older diesel and petrol vehicles can enter Beirut freely.
Roads over the Mount Lebanon range (e.g. Dahr el Baidar towards the Bekaa) can close after heavy snowfall between December and March; snow chains are advisable for ski-resort routes.
Do not drive to the Syrian border, Palestinian refugee camps, southern suburbs of Beirut (Dahieh) or south of the Litani river; military checkpoints will turn foreigners back and the area remains subject to Israeli strikes.
The Lebanese pound (LBP) has collapsed and most fuel stations, hotels and tolls price in fresh US dollars cash; bring small USD notes as card acceptance is unreliable and ATMs often dispense LBP at poor rates.
Petrol (95) costs roughly USD 1.20-1.40 (about EUR 1.10-1.30) per litre paid in cash USD; attendants pump for you and a tip of LBP 50,000 or USD 1 is customary.
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Don't get caught out
Lebanon drives on the right and overtakes on the left, which is a switch for UK and Irish drivers.
Motorway limit is 100 km/h, rural roads 70 km/h and urban areas 50 km/h, though signage is inconsistent and rarely enforced outside Beirut.
Lebanon enforces a 0.0 g/L blood-alcohol limit for all drivers: do not drink anything before driving.