1968 IDP required alongside UK/EU licence
RequiredUzbekistan 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 Uzbekistan
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Uzbekistan: 9 legal requirements + 8 other things worth knowing.
9
Required
3
Recommended
5
Good to know
Tick before you go
Pre-departure checklist for Uzbekistan
9 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
1968 IDP required alongside UK/EU licence
Uzbekistan recognises the 1968 Vienna Convention International Driving Permit; carry it with your home licence and passport at all times.
Local OSGO third-party insurance
Foreign policies and Green Cards are not valid; buy compulsory OSGO insurance at the border or from a local insurer, typically 50,000-150,000 UZS (4-12 EUR) for short stays.
Temporary import declaration for own vehicle
Declare your car at customs on entry and receive a temporary import certificate valid up to 90 days; carry the V5C/registration document and overstaying triggers heavy fines.
Drive on the right
Traffic drives on the right and overtakes on the left, the opposite of the UK and Ireland.
Speed limits 30 / 70 / 100 / 110 km/h
Built-up residential zones 30 km/h, urban 70 km/h, rural roads 100 km/h, and motorways 110 km/h; speed cameras are widespread and fines are issued on the spot.
Zero-tolerance alcohol limit
BAC limit is 0.00 g/L; any detectable alcohol results in heavy fines, licence confiscation, and potential detention.
Dipped headlights outside built-up areas
Low-beam headlights must be on at all times on rural roads and motorways, and year-round on all roads is widely advised.
Warning triangle and first aid kit
A red warning triangle, first aid kit, and working fire extinguisher must be carried in the vehicle; spare bulbs are also strongly recommended.
Declare cash over 70,000,000 UZS equivalent at border
Amounts exceeding roughly 5,000 USD equivalent must be declared in writing on the customs form; keep the stamped declaration for departure.
Documents
Local OSGO third-party insurance
RequiredForeign policies and Green Cards are not valid; buy compulsory OSGO insurance at the border or from a local insurer, typically 50,000-150,000 UZS (4-12 EUR) for short stays.
Temporary import declaration for own vehicle
RequiredDeclare your car at customs on entry and receive a temporary import certificate valid up to 90 days; carry the V5C/registration document and overstaying triggers heavy fines.
Driving rules
Drive on the right
RequiredTraffic drives on the right and overtakes on the left, the opposite of the UK and Ireland.
Speed limits 30 / 70 / 100 / 110 km/h
RequiredBuilt-up residential zones 30 km/h, urban 70 km/h, rural roads 100 km/h, and motorways 110 km/h; speed cameras are widespread and fines are issued on the spot.
Zero-tolerance alcohol limit
RequiredBAC limit is 0.00 g/L; any detectable alcohol results in heavy fines, licence confiscation, and potential detention.
Dipped headlights outside built-up areas
RequiredLow-beam headlights must be on at all times on rural roads and motorways, and year-round on all roads is widely advised.
Police checkpoints common
Good to knowExpect frequent GAI (traffic police) checkpoints, especially near city limits and regional borders; be ready to show documents and stay polite.
Emergency number 102 (police) / 103 (ambulance)
Good to knowThe unified emergency number 112 also works; English is rarely spoken so consider a Russian or Uzbek phrasebook.
Tolls
No motorway tolls or vignette
Good to knowUzbekistan has no national vignette or motorway toll system; the M39 and other main highways are free to use.
Required equipment
Warning triangle and first aid kit
RequiredA red warning triangle, first aid kit, and working fire extinguisher must be carried in the vehicle; spare bulbs are also strongly recommended.
Hi-vis vest when exiting on roadside
RecommendedNot strictly mandatory for foreign cars but strongly recommended to wear a reflective vest when stopping on rural roads or motorways at night.
Environment
Mountain passes close in winter
RecommendedKamchik Pass (to the Fergana Valley) and high routes in the Tian Shan can close from November to March due to snow and avalanche risk; winter tyres or chains are essential outside major cities in winter.
Long desert stretches between cities
Good to knowRoutes across the Kyzylkum (e.g. Bukhara-Khiva) have few fuel stops; carry extra water, fuel, and a spare tyre.
Money
Currency is Uzbekistani som (UZS)
Good to knowPetrol runs roughly 9,000-11,000 UZS/litre (around 0.70-0.85 EUR); methane and propane are far cheaper and very common locally.
Cash dominates outside cities
RecommendedCards (Visa/Mastercard) work in Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara but rural fuel stations and roadside stops are cash-only; carry small UZS notes.
Declare cash over 70,000,000 UZS equivalent at border
RequiredAmounts exceeding roughly 5,000 USD equivalent must be declared in writing on the customs form; keep the stamped declaration for departure.
Plan your Uzbekistan road trip
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Don't get caught out
Watch out for these
Drive on the right
RequiredTraffic drives on the right and overtakes on the left, the opposite of the UK and Ireland.
Speed limits 30 / 70 / 100 / 110 km/h
RequiredBuilt-up residential zones 30 km/h, urban 70 km/h, rural roads 100 km/h, and motorways 110 km/h; speed cameras are widespread and fines are issued on the spot.
Zero-tolerance alcohol limit
RequiredBAC limit is 0.00 g/L; any detectable alcohol results in heavy fines, licence confiscation, and potential detention.
Dipped headlights outside built-up areas
RequiredLow-beam headlights must be on at all times on rural roads and motorways, and year-round on all roads is widely advised.