International Driver's License for Bosnia and Herzegovina

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, an International Driving Permit is strongly recommended for most visitors. It doesn't replace your national license — it translates it into several languages so local police and rental staff can read your credentials easily. If your home license isn't in a Latin script familiar locally, carrying an IDP makes checks smoother.

Bosnia and Herzegovina drives on the right, with left-hand-drive vehicles being the norm. If you're used to left-side driving, take extra care at roundabouts and when overtaking on mountain roads. Your IDP is carried alongside your home license regardless of which side you're used to.

For Bosnia and Herzegovina, an IDP is a booklet that translates the details of your existing driver's license into multiple languages. It is only valid together with your original national license — never on its own — and helps traffic officers and rental agencies in the country verify what you're licensed to drive.

Short-term visitors to Bosnia and Herzegovina generally drive on their valid foreign license plus an IDP for the length of a tourist stay. If you become a resident, you'll usually be expected to exchange for a local license within a set period. Check current rules with the local authorities before a longer stay.

Many rental desks in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially in Sarajevo and Mostar, prefer to see an IDP together with your home license, particularly if your license is non-Latin. Requirements vary by company, so having the IDP ready avoids delays at pickup.

For Bosnia and Herzegovina, carry the physical IDP booklet — it's the format police and rental agents expect to inspect. A digital copy can serve as a useful backup if the printed permit is misplaced, but it shouldn't be your only version on the road.

Anyone planning to drive in Bosnia and Herzegovina who already holds a valid national driver's license can apply. The IDP is built from your existing license, so it must be current — you can start your E-ITA application online in a few minutes.

To drive in Bosnia and Herzegovina, apply online through E-ITA: enter your details, upload your license, and complete the short form. There's no need to visit an office — the process takes only a few minutes.

Your home license is the primary document in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but on its own it may be hard for local officials to read if it's not in a familiar language. The IDP fills that gap by translating it, which is why carrying both is the safer choice.

Yes — the IDP renders your license details into multiple languages, which is its core purpose for travel in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It doesn't grant any new driving privileges; it simply makes your existing ones understandable to local authorities.

Pricing for an IDP to use in Bosnia and Herzegovina depends on the option you choose. See E-ITA's pricing page for current details rather than relying on figures quoted elsewhere.