Bosnia on a UK Licence 2026: Renting There Needs a 1968 IDP
United Kingdom
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Your UK licence is enough in your own car or one hired outside Bosnia. Rent inside the country and the 1968 IDP must be in the car. You also switch to the right, and the limit is 0.03.
Whether a British driver needs a permit in Bosnia and Herzegovina depends on where the car comes from. The UK Foreign Office says a UK licence is valid in your own vehicle or in a car hired outside the country. Hire one inside Bosnia and Herzegovina and you need the 1968 International Driving Permit in the car with you. IDPs are sold only in the UK, so buy one before you leave if there is any chance of renting locally. The Driving Permit Checker covers other routes.
Keeping right after a lifetime on the left
Britain drives on the left and Bosnia on the right. Junctions, roundabouts (now anticlockwise) and overtaking all reverse, and the risky window is the first hour. Start on quiet roads rather than central Sarajevo. Towns are limited to 50 km/h, rural roads to 80 km/h and motorways to 130 km/h, although on mountain roads the bends set the pace.
Winter rules from November to April
From November to April the Foreign Office says cars need tyres marked MS, M+S or M&S with the snowflake symbol, with at least 4 mm of tread, and must carry snow chains for use where signs require them. Conditions outside the main towns can worsen quickly in winter, so check the forecast before a mountain crossing.
Mines, alcohol and roadside fines
Landmines and other unexploded weapons remain from the 1992-1995 war. Keep to roads that are clearly in use, and do not step onto verges, into fields or near abandoned buildings in rural areas. The alcohol limit is 0.03%, well below England’s 0.08%, so drink nothing before driving. Traffic police can issue on-the-spot fines for any offence, and third-party insurance is compulsory.
For emergencies call 122 for police, 123 for fire and 124 for an ambulance. Read the Bosnia and Herzegovina driving guide for more.
Sources
- UK Foreign Office, Bosnia and Herzegovina travel advice: safety and security (licence, 1968 IDP for local hire, winter tyres and chains, landmines, on-the-spot fines): gov.uk
- UK Foreign Office, Bosnia and Herzegovina travel advice: getting help (police 122, fire 123, ambulance 124): gov.uk
- WHO Global status report on road safety 2023, Bosnia and Herzegovina profile (speed limits 50/80/130; 0.03 g/dl): who.int
Speed limits, fines, equipment & license requirements
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Winter tyres in Bosnia and Herzegovina — 2026–27 season
Winter tyres are compulsory on fixed dates in Bosnia and Herzegovina: 1 Nov - 1 Apr.
- Tread minimum: 1.6 mm — Bosnia and Herzegovina sets no separate winter figure.
- Accepted marking: MS, M+S, M&S or Snow/Winter marking (summer tyres of 4 mm+ accepted with chains)
- Studded tyres: banned
Checked against national legislation, 1 Oct 2026 · Full Bosnia and Herzegovina tyre law · Compare all countries
Frequently Asked Questions
The UK Foreign Office says a UK licence is valid if you drive your own vehicle or a car hired outside Bosnia and Herzegovina. If you hire a car inside the country, you need the 1968 International Driving Permit with you in the car. IDPs can only be bought in the UK, so get one before you travel.
From November to April, the UK Foreign Office says cars need tyres marked MS, M+S or M&S with the snowflake symbol and at least 4 mm of tread, and must carry snow chains to fit when road signs say so.
Far stricter. Bosnia and Herzegovina's limit is 0.03% against 0.08% in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and traffic police can fine on the spot for any offence. Plan on no alcohol before driving.