Driving in Armenia

But if you’re planning a road trip all the way to Armenia, it’s essential you’re fully prepared ahead of time as driving there has many differences to the UK. 

To make your trip to the Continent as safe and effortless as possible, we’ve put together a guide to everything you need to know before you go, from required documents to rules of the road.  

Driving a rented vehicle? Jump to the advice for driving a hire car in Armenia section.

RAC European Breakdown Cover (Basic and Comprehensive) provides a wide range of benefits should you breakdown in Armenia to ensure you stay safe. 

To supplement this, RAC also offers travel insurance. Cover will include medical expenses, baggage, personal money and belongings, among many other benefits.

• A valid, full UK driving licence
• A UK sticker (required even if your car has EU registration plates that show the GB code on a blue background, as Armenia is not part of the EU)
• Car insurance (Armenia is not a member of the European Green Card system, but insurance can be bought at the border or ahead of time online)
• Your motor insurance certificate
• V5 registration document or hire car paperwork

Aside from the documents above, there are some legally-required items you must bring with you to drive in Denmark.

Unless your headlights can be adjusted, it's a legal requirement to carry headlamp converters (stickers for your headlights when driving on the right, so your lights don't dazzle motorists coming the other way).

A warning triangle is also compulsory to carry in vehicles in case of a breakdown.

It's also recommended to have:

• Spare bulbs for your car's external lights
• A fire extinguisher 
• A first-aid kit
• A reflective jacket
• Winter tyres/snow chains if driving in winter, especially on mountainous roads. 

You can pick up all the car kit you need from RAC Shop.

Driving in Armenia can differ to the UK, these are rules you must be aware of:

• Be 18 or over
• Make sure everyone in the car wears a seatbelt at all times
• Wear a crash helmet if you're riding a motorcycle
• Since April 2018, car insurance is mandatory for all motorists. This can be bought at the border, or online via the ASWA website
• When entering Armenia, expect to pay a number of taxes collected on the spot. These includes a payment for using Armenia motorways (around 10,000 ARD, roughly £20), which is then valid for 15 days. Should you stay longer, you will need to make a further payment
• In Armenia, you drive on the right and overtake on the left. Vehicles from the right and emergency vehicles have priority
• If you're caught committing a driving offence while driving through Armenia, you could be given an on-the-spot fine of up to 200,000 ALL (around £1,450)
• Children under the age of 12 are not allowed to sit in the front seat
• The drink-drive limit for all drivers is strictly 0.00%. 

Speed limits vary across Armenia, so always check the signposts for maximum speeds. In urban areas, the limit is 60km/h unless in residential zones, where it is 20km/h unless otherwise signposted. Outside these areas, the limit is 90km/h. On the motorway, the limit is 110km/h

• The standard of main roads in Armenia can vary dramatically – particularly in rural and mountainous areas – so take extra precautions, especially in winter. Potholes are often highlighted with paint to make things easier 
• The standard of driving in Armenia can be more erratic than in other European countries, so keep your wits about you behind the wheel
• Roads can be poorly illuminated, particularly in rural areas, so avoid driving after dark if possible
• Unleaded petrol and diesel are readily available. Payment is generally made in cash, although some may accept credit cards
• Parking can be limited in the capital, Yerevan.
• The Nagorno-Karabakh region remains largely off-limits for foreigner visitors, with the border areas between Armenia and Azerbaijan heavily militarised and containing mines and unexploded ordnance. Any foreigner traveling with 5km of these borders is likely to be stopped by police or military officials

In an emergency

112 - Here's a really important bit of knowledge; you can dial 112 from anywhere in Europe and an operator will connect you to an emergency service in the country you're visiting.

Operators can answer your call in their native language, English or French.

Breaking down in Armenia

RAC offers great-value, flexible RAC European breakdown cover tailored to meet your needs. We also offer comprehensive travel insurance, including cover for medical expenses, baggage, personal money and belongings.

Not all of the information in the guide above will be relevant to those looking to rent a hire car in Armenia.

Though it might be a good idea to read through everything anyway, here are the most important things to know for drivers of rental vehicles:

Rental information

• The minimum age to hire a car is 21
• You need a full, valid UK driving licence and usually a second proof of ID (passport)
• Some car rental companies ask that you have held your licence for a minimum term - check with your hire company first
• Some companies may require you to use a credit card for deposit, its best to check beforehand
• You may not be able to drive outside of Armenia unless planned in advance - check with your hire company first
• Make sure you get car hire excess insurance before your trip to protect yourself from unexpected costs. It's almost always cheaper to do this with a separate insurer and in advance

Hire car driving tips

• Armenians drive on the right and overtake on the left - the opposite to the UK
• The national speed limit on Armenian motorways is 110km/h (68mph). On a main road outside a built-up area it's 90 km/h. For built-up areas it’s 60km/h, unless residential, where it is 20km/h
• Dial 112 in an emergency
• It’s compulsory to wear seat belts in the front and rear seats
• The blood alcohol content limit for drivers of private vehicles is strictly zero

UK Government travel advice

See up-to-date travel advice

Need cover for the UK leg of your trip? Get complete peace of mind at home or at the roadside with RAC breakdown cover.