Driving Rules in Albania
Everything you need to know before driving in Albania. Save or print this page for reference during your trip.
Critical Rules Tourists Must Know
- Headlights must be on 24/7 — day and night, even in bright sunshine.
- Alcohol limit is 0.01% BAC — essentially zero. One drink puts you over the limit.
- You must carry your driver's license, passport, rental contract, and insurance at ALL times.
- Seatbelts are mandatory for ALL passengers — front and back.
- Handheld phone use while driving is illegal.
- Drive on the RIGHT side of the road.
Speed Limits
40
Urban areas: 40 km/h
80
Rural / main roads: 80-90 km/h
90
Expressways: 90 km/h
110
Motorways: 110 km/h
130
A1 Motorway: 130 km/h
Speed limit transitions can be abrupt. Watch for signs when entering towns.
Common Traffic Fines
50% discount if paid within 15 days.
Night fines (22:00-07:00) are increased by two-thirds.
Minor speeding (1-10 km/h over): 1,000-3,000 ALL (10-30 EUR)
Moderate speeding (10-20 km/h over): 2,000-4,000 ALL (20-40 EUR)
Major speeding (20+ km/h over): 5,000-20,000 ALL (50-200 EUR)
Running a red light: 5,000-20,000 ALL (50-200 EUR)
Seatbelt violation: 5,000-15,000 ALL (47-141 EUR)
Phone use while driving: 5,000-15,000 ALL (50-150 EUR)
Headlights off: 500-2,500 ALL (5-23 EUR)
DUI (over 0.01% BAC): up to 20,000 ALL (175 EUR) + license suspension
Parking violation: 500+ ALL (5+ EUR)
Driving License Requirements
- EU/EEA license holders: Your license is valid as-is in Albania.
- Non-EU license holders: Any valid national driving license is accepted. No International Driving Permit (IDP) required.
- Non-Roman alphabet licenses (e.g. Chinese, Arabic): Carrying a certified translation is recommended for smoother police interactions.
Always carry your driving license with you while driving — police checkpoints are common.
Emergency Numbers
112
General Emergency: 112
129
Police: 129
127
Ambulance: 127
128
Fire Department: 128
126
Traffic Police: 126
There is no standardized roadside assistance in Albania. Contact your rental company directly in case of breakdown.
What to Do in an Accident
- 1 Stop immediately and turn on hazard lights.
- 2 Call 112 (emergency) or 129 (police). You MUST wait for police.
- 3 Do NOT move the vehicles until police arrive.
- 4 Take photos of all vehicles, damage, and the scene.
- 5 Get a police report — you need this for the rental company.
- 6 Contact your rental company immediately.
Leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offense in Albania.
Child Seat Rules
- Children shorter than 1.5 m must sit in the rear seats, secured with an approved child seat appropriate for their age and weight.
- Children under 3 years old may sit in the front seat with an approved rear-facing child seat, provided all airbags are deactivated.
- Only children taller than 1.5 m may sit in the front seat (with a seatbelt).
Keep children in each seat stage until the maximum age/weight/height limits before moving to the next stage.
Always use approved child restraint systems.
Book a child seat when reserving your car — they're not always available at pickup.
