Last Updated on December 5, 2023
Exploring Jordan in a rental car is a great way to see this beautiful country in the Middle East. Not only is driving in Jordan safe, but it is a comfortable and fast way to get around.
Driving in Jordan also gives you the freedom to make stops on your road trip in small towns and at lesser known points of interest, while also seeing the major sites like Petra and the Dead Sea.
As with driving in any new country, there are particularities to know about before going on your Jordan road trip. Like, what side of the road to drive on (drive on the right side!), how to prep for police checks, and Jordanian speed limits.
This guide covers everything you need to know for driving in Jordan, both before and during your trip.
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- How to Rent a Car in Jordan
- Things to Know Before Driving in Jordan
- 10 Tips for Driving in Jordan
- 1. Research your car rental company.
- 2. Drive on the right side of the road.
- 3. Always wear your seatbelt.
- 4. Pass other vehicles when it’s safe.
- 5. Don’t drive above the speed limit.
- 6. Be aware of driving norms in Jordan.
- 7. Avoid accidents while road tripping Jordan.
- 8. Watch for pedestrians and animals.
- 9. Be prepared for police checks.
- 10. Don’t drive in Wadi Rum.
- Driving in Amman
- Driving in Jordan FAQ
How to Rent a Car in Jordan
Most rental car companies are located at Amman at Queen Alia International Airport. Since this is the point of entry that most travelers use when entering and exiting Jordan, it makes sense to pick up your car there.
Rental cars in Jordan start at about $20 per day. You do not need an International Driver’s License, but you will need to show your driver’s license and passport to rent a vehicle in Jordan. And, drivers must be 25+ years old to rent a vehicle.
The quality of rental cars varies a lot in Jordan. Our car was an older model that definitely appeared to have lived quite a life before we got into it!
All rental vehicles come with a certificate of roadworthiness. Make sure you receive this when you pick up your vehicle, as this confirms that the car is in good enough condition to be on the road.
- Need a car rental for your Jordan adventures? Discover Cars compares the prices for a vehicle from a variety of suppliers to ensure you get the cheapest rate, and you can reserve your car rental in advance. Reserve a car rental here!
Pro tip: Before driving off in your rental car, add your rental company’s phone number to your phone’s contacts. This way, you have their number ready in case you need support at any point on your Jordan road trip.
Things to Know Before Driving in Jordan
Before you head out on your Jordan road trip, you’ll want to know basic driving laws in Jordan, speed limits, where to park, and more. Below are 9 essential basics that you should keep in mind, before you hit the road.
Purchase rental car insurance.
If you rent a car in Jordan, you need to purchase rental insurance. This coverage will protect the vehicle, and you. Without it, you would have to pay for any damage to the vehicle out of pocket, and you’re liable for accidents.
Some credit cards include rental car insurance, otherwise, you can purchase a policy with the vehicle. Always look over your insurance policy carefully!
The basic Jordanian driving laws.
Most driving laws in Jordan are the same as what you’re used to at home. Always wear a seatbelt, don’t drive over the speed limit, use your lights after dark, and never use your phone while driving.
Speed limits in Jordan.
- Urban speed limit: 60 kilometers per hour.
- Rural speed limit: 80 kilometers per hour.
- Highway speed limit: 120 kilometers per hour.
Road conditions in Jordan.
While driving in Jordan you’ll find that road conditions vary throughout the country. Some of the highways are perfectly paved, other roads are a little more treacherous. Always keep an eye on the road conditions, and beware of potholes and speed bumps.
Where to find parking in Jordan.
Parking is easy to find all over Jordan. In most cases, you’ll be able to find street parking near your accommodation (typically free), and most tourist sites have designated parking lots.
Road signage in Jordan.
Most road signage in Jordan is written both in Arabic and English. Keep an eye out for road signs, including speed limit signage, and always obey the signage instructions. Note that speed limits are written in the metric system (speed is measured in kilometers per hour rather than miles per hour).
Purchase a sim card.
Invest in a SIM card with calling and data for your Jordan road trip. This way you’re always able to navigate, and you can reach your car rental company by phone if need be. SIM cards can be bought at the airport upon exiting.
I purchased a SIM card from Orange. The SIM cost 15 JOD and included calling with 4 gigabytes of data.
Download a map app for navigation.
Navigating Jordan is simple! Outside of Amman, most driving directions are straight forward. You’ll just want to make sure that you have a good GPS in your vehicle to guide your trip.
We relied on Google Maps for driving in Jordan. Although we had mobile data, we also used the offline maps feature of the app to download all maps of the country. This way, if our data cut out, we could navigate offline.
Oh and, don’t be afraid to ask locals for help! We found Jordanians to be very receptive and helpful whenever we asked for directions or tips.
Have all the necessary documents.
Before driving in Jordan, make sure you have with you in your rental vehicle: Your passport(s), vehicle registration, and the car’s certificate of roadworthiness.
10 Tips for Driving in Jordan
Ready to hit the road!? Here are 10 must-know tips for driving in Jordan. These tips will make sure you have a smooth trip from Petra, to Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea and beyond.
1. Research your car rental company.
Be sure to research reviews of the rental company that you hire through. We hired through Eras, and they provided a good car with reliable support via phone. They called us regularly to check in throughout our trip.
2. Drive on the right side of the road.
In Jordan, you drive on the right side of the road. This is pretty straight forward! Just keep to the right lane at all times (except when passing), and you’ll be all good.
3. Always wear your seatbelt.
Wear your seatbelt while driving in Jordan because it’s the law in Jordan, and because it will keep you safe! As with driving anywhere, there’s always a chance of an accident. Having your seatbelt on will keep you as safe as possible.
4. Pass other vehicles when it’s safe.
The lanes in Jordan are basically just guidelines. There aren’t indications of when you can pass other vehicles – it’s up to the driver to decide when it’s safe.
Use common sense when passing other cars. Don’t pass unless you can see well ahead of you in case there is oncoming traffic. The best time to pass is on a flat, straight stretch of road.
5. Don’t drive above the speed limit.
Do not speed while you’re exploring Jordan. While driving conditions are good, stray animals and even people may venture out onto the road, even in the middle of the desert. Ensure that you have enough break time should a goat appear on the highway.
Be aware that rental companies can shut off your engine. We made the mistake of going above the 120 km per hour speed limit, and to teach us a lesson our rental company shut our engine off!
This is how we ended up stranded on the side of the road. Luckily, a phone call and apology got us our driving privileges back.
6. Be aware of driving norms in Jordan.
Jordanian drivers do things differently than we do in North America. In cities, there are no designated lanes, lots of roundabouts, and many drivers don’t bother with their turning signals.
And, you can expect to hear lots of horns honking, basically all the time. The key to driving in Jordan is hyper awareness of what is going on around you.
It may take a day or too to acclimatize to the driving norms in Jordan. Don’t worry! After a bit of time, you’ll get the hang of it.
7. Avoid accidents while road tripping Jordan.
Be cautious of accidents on your Jordan road trip. It is important to know that if you are involved in an accident with a pedestrian, the driver is always considered in the wrong.
This can result in hefty fines and in extreme cases, imprisonment. Ensure you have vehicle rental insurance bought from your home country to protect you on your Jordan road trip.
8. Watch for pedestrians and animals.
Regardless of if you are in a city or out in the desert, always keep your eyes peeled for pedestrians and animals when driving in Jordan. In the cities, pedestrians, dogs, and cats often weave through traffic to cross the road.
Out in the desert you’ll notice people and dogs crossing the highways, and you might spots camels, too!
9. Be prepared for police checks.
Checkpoints and random police checks are normal in Jordan. They happen because Jordan is located amid conflict zones. Police checks are nothing to worry about, just as long as you’re prepared for them.
If you encounter a police check while driving in Jordan, slowly pull over, and prepare your passports as well as your vehicle’s registration documents.
The officer will either wave you through (sometimes they won’t bother checking if they see you are a tourist), or they will ask to look over your documents, and maybe look through the car and trunk.
10. Don’t drive in Wadi Rum.
It’s possible to drive out into the Wadi Rum Protected Area, but it’s not recommended. The desert is massive, has challenging terrain, and is difficult to navigate. Reception is not strong throughout Wadi Rum, so if you run into problems, you may not be able to call for help.
If you decide to drive in Wadi Rum, you must pay the fee to enter Wadi Rum Protected Area. Be sure to drive a good 4×4 vehicle, have more than enough supplies, and an offline GPS.
Driving in Amman
Amman is the biggest (and busiest!) city in Jordan. As a result, driving there is a little different than other regions of the country. Amman often has traffic, busier roads, and lots of honking.
On our trip, we decided to take our car into Amman with us because we felt it would be convenient for getting around the city. Since we are from a big city, we felt we could handle the city driving in Jordan, too.
Driving in Amman is quite similar to any large city around the world. What’s most important is to keep alert, beware of pedestrians (and animals) who might step out into the road, know where you’re headed, and don’t be distracted by other drivers – even if they aren’t following the road rules.
The main challenges you’ll find driving in Amman, are that many streets are one way, and parking can be difficult to find. The best way to tackle these challenges is with planning: Plan your driving routes carefully, and look up in advance where there are parking lots that you can use.
Now, all this said – Many road trippers in Jordan will pick up and drop off their rental vehicle at the Amman airport, and get into and around Amman by public transport or taxi. A car really isn’t necessary in Amman as it’s easy to get around by foot, bus, or taxi.
Driving in Jordan FAQ
Is it safe to drive in Jordan?
Jordan is one of the safest countries in the Middle East, making it very safe to drive there. Other than a few bumpy roads, and the occasional traffic jam in Jordanian cities, driving in Jordan is as safe as anywhere else.
Can foreigners drive in Jordan?
Foreigners are allowed to drive in Jordan, as long as they have a driver’s license from their home country, their passport, vehicle registration, and the car’s certificate of roadworthiness with them in the car.
Which side do you drive on in Jordan?
In Jordan you drive on the right side of the road. Always keep your vehicle in the right-hand lane, except when passing other vehicles.
More from Pina Travels:
- Your Ultimate Jordan Road Trip Itinerary
- 22 Must-Know Tips for Visiting Petra, Jordan
- 8 Essential Tips for Visiting Wadi Rum, Jordan
Erin has been traveling for over a decade, both solo, and with her partner. She’s now traveled to countries across 6 continents, and has lived in 2 countries abroad. Erin also hosts the travel podcast, Curious Tourism, where she interviews travel industry thought leaders and experts about responsible tourism. Learn more about Erin, and get in touch with her, here.
