Syria 2026 on an Indian Licence: Keep Right, Zero Alcohol
India
Syria
An Indian licence holder can in principle drive in Syria with an International Driving Permit, but the two things to plan for are a side switch from left to right and a flat 0.0 alcohol limit. Check your government's travel advice before any trip, as conditions vary by region.
A note of realism before the rules: Syria is a destination where security conditions change and official travel advice often counsels against travel. Treat the guidance below as the driving facts for a permitted, planned trip, and check your own government’s current advisory first.
What an Indian licence needs in Syria
In principle, an Indian licence holder can drive in Syria with an international driving permit carried alongside the licence and passport. Whether you can practically hire or bring a car depends on current conditions far more than on the paperwork, so confirm access before you commit. The permit is explained in the IDP guide, and the permit checker helps check the position for your licence.
The biggest adjustment: switching to the right
Indian traffic keeps left; Syria keeps right. Give yourself a slow, deliberate start on quiet roads rather than central Damascus traffic. Car licences start at 18, as in India.
Syria: a flat zero for alcohol
The drink-drive limit is a flat 0.0 BAC, stricter than India’s 0.03, so don’t drink at all before driving. The guide to drink-driving limits compares the figures, and the BAC calculator estimates how long alcohol lasts.
Speeds, tyres and emergency numbers
Posted limits: 50 km/h in towns, 80 on rural roads and 110 on the fastest stretches. Treat them as ceilings and drive to the condition of the road. You can compare them with home on the Speed Limit Map. Winter tyres are optional, and the tread minimum is 1.6 mm. Call 112 for police, 110 for an ambulance or 113 for fire. Read the broader context in the Syria driving guide, and verify current travel advice before you go.
Speed limits, fines, equipment & license requirements
Your home country driving rules for reference
Renting a Car?
Compare prices from all major rental companies. Free cancellation on most bookings.
Compare Car Rental PricesSome links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How our affiliate links work.
More Free Tools
Explore TyreMap
Frequently Asked Questions
In principle yes, with an International Driving Permit carried alongside your Indian licence and passport. Practical access depends heavily on current travel advisories, so check your government's guidance before planning any drive.
Syria drives on the right, the opposite of India — so this is a genuine side switch. Expect to relearn junctions, roundabouts and overtaking on the other side.
It is 0.0 BAC — a flat zero, stricter than India's 0.03. Do not drink anything before driving.
Police 112, ambulance 110 and fire 113, with no general number on record. India's 100, 108 and 101 are not the ones to rely on in Syria, even though 112 appears on both lists for different services.
Syria's limits are 50 in towns, 80 on rural roads and 110 on the fastest stretches, in km/h. India's figures on record are 70, 80 and 120, so towns are 20 km/h lower in Syria.