Main rules:

• Driving is on the right hand side of the road.
• The minimum driving age is 18 years.
• Everyone in the car must wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Mobile phones are not allowed while driving but hands-free systems, yes.
• A fire extinguisher, basic emergency repair kit, and spare bulbs must be in the car
• The speed limits are: in residential areas – 50 km/h (31 mph); outside residential areas – 90 km/h (56 mph); on motorways – 110 km/h (68 mph).
• The legal blood alcohol level is 0.01 mg/ml.

Additional information:

• To rent a car, a driver must present a full valid driving license which he has held for at least 3 years. The minimum age for renting a car is 21 years.
• If a driver is involved in an accident, he must wait until police arrives.

While driving in Albania you are required by law to carry the following items, otherwise, fines can be issued:

• Headlamp beam deflectors
• First aid kits
• Warning triangle and reflective vest
• Motorcyclists – safety helmets for both drivers and passengers

International Driver’s License (Permit)

Driving schools and applying for a Driver’s License in Albania

Get in touch with a Licensed Driving Schools for the required category and register to complete a theoretical and road skill driving course.

Documents and fees for “theory” test:

• Translated and notarized photocopy of the ID card and passport.
• Notarized photocopy of a valid residence permit.
• 2 photographs, size 4 x 5 cm, signed on the back by the applicant, name & surname
• Medical certificate with a photograph, certifying the physical ability to drive the vehicle of the relevant category, issued no earlier than six months from the date of submission of the application
• Payment receipt for a “LICENSE” type DD / T, in order to register for the theory test.

The exam is computerized; number of questions = 40, maximum time = 40 minutes, number of errors allowed = 4.

Driving skill test:

To apply for a Driving License in Albania you will need to head to the Directory of Road Transport Service with these documents:

• The original hardcopy ID or passport is verified and returned to the citizen
• Valid Residence Permit (must be within the validity period)
• Payment receipt for the driving license fee (state budget tax)
• Payment receipt of 3500 ALL for driving license fee;
• 3 photographs – passport size 4 x 5 cm

At the end of the procedure, a digital headshot is taken and the electronic signature (name + surname) is deposited, which will be clearly visible in the driving license. The document will be available at the information desk of the Regional Directorate where the application is made.

Convert foreign Driving License to an Albanian Driving License at the Directorate of Road and Transport Service and applying for license verification beforehand:

• Service request
• Notarized and translated copy of passport
• Notarized copy of a valid residence permit
• Original valid foreign driving license
• A photocopied, translated and notarized medical certificate with a photograph, certifying the physical ability to drive the vehicle of the relevant category, issued no earlier than six months from the date of application.
• Payment receipt for the service of 2,300 ALL.

After being notified you will need to visit the DPSHTRR offices with these documents to apply for the driving license:

• Request form
• Valid ID and photocopy
• Foreign Drivers License
• Valid Residence Permit
• A payment receipt of 3500 ALL fee for the driving license

Car Insurance

Pay Parking (Tirana)

Road Parking: (complete map here)
Monday- Friday: 7:30-20:00 (After this hours the Parking spots are free)
A Zone: 100 Leke/h (yellow)
B Zone: 40 Leke/h (pink)
C Zone: 20 Leke/h (blue)

You can sign a contract here and reserve a spot yearly in the desired zone.
Underground parking: here
Parking areas
You can also reserve a parking spot via SMS

There are also private parking places throughout the city which you can take a look at this map.

Buying a used vehicle in Albania

After you choose the perfect car for you, head to a notary to get the documents changed with your name, and finalize the paperwork process. With the paperwork done, you can head to DSHTRR for technical inspection; make sure you pay Customs duties, or that the company/individual you are buying the car from, has paid them. You book ‘Kolaudimi’ and when you head to the road authority, the car undergoes a physical inspection where both the insurance and annual taxes are paid, if the car doesn’t have license plates, you also apply for them there.

Used Vehicle registration, apply at the service windows of the Directory of Road Transport Service with these documents:

• Application Form
• ID/ Passport
• Certificate of Technical Control of the vehicle
• Documents accompanying the technical and ownership indications of the vehicle, issued by the official authorities of the State of origin of the vehicle, as a circulation permit and/or ownership certificate, the original copy of the export paper.
• Customs Clearance Document (DAV) issued by Albanian Customs, original.
• Property Acquisition Document, Valid.
• Vehicle Policy Insurance
• RBS Certification

Service Fee in case the vehicle is not registered: Control Certificate 1,500 Lek + Circulation License 1,000 Lek + Certificate of Ownership 2,000 Lek + Double License Plates Fee 3,000 Lek = Total 7,500 Lek.

In case the vehicle is already registered, apply to change the owner of the vehicle, at Directory of Road Transport Service with these documents:

• Request Form
• ID/Passport
• The document of acquisition of ownership of the vehicle, according to the Civil Code, in the original.
• Vehicle circulation permit.
• Vehicle certificate of ownership.
• Vehicle plates, when they are according to the old system.
• RBS Certification (issued by Securities Registrar).
• A photocopy of the record on the physical condition of the vehicle at the time of sale.

This service requires the change of circulation permit (fee 1,000 Lek), certificate of ownership (fee 2,000 Lek), change of license plate(if required) will cost 3,000 ALL for vehicles (and 1,500 ALL for motor vehicles).

Buying a new vehicle in Albania

New vehicle bought in Albania registration, apply at the service windows of the Directory of Road Transport Service with these documents:

• Request for service, which is completed at the counters.
• Identification document, which after being photocopied by the service employee, is returned to you.
• Certificate of technical control of the vehicle. (DPSHTRR)
• Certificate of conformity or document, with all the necessary technical indicators for the identification of the vehicle, issued by the manufacturer, in the original.
• Customs clearance document issued by the Albanian Customs, in the original.
• Property acquisition document, valid.
• Vehicle insurance contract.
• RBS Certification (issued by Securities Registrar).

Bringing a vehicle from outside Albania and foreign License Plates in Albania

A driver of a foreign vehicle, entering Albania, needs to pay a road tax. The customs officer issues a road tax certificate, which the driver must keep and return it back to the customs when leaving the country. Information concerning the Temporary Admission of foreign plates vehicles Customs page here. Regarding your reason and duration of stay, you might be granted permission for 6 months to 1 year. At the end of this period, the vehicle must leave the country or be declared and cleared by the Customs Authorities. Temporary exit in neighboring countries does not serve to re-count/re-start the 6-month or 1 year permission period.

Vehicle import:

• Used vehicles’ first-time registration is possible only if they meet  EURO 4 emission standards or above.
• While the 0 miles must meet standard EURO 5 and EURO 6

Depending on the length of your stay, you will need to follow the car registration process according to Albanian law.

To register an imported vehicle (in case you are bringing a vehicle from abroad, or importing a used one bought abroad), you can apply at the counters of the Directory of Road Transport Service. Bring the following documents with you. (photocopies of all documents may be of help)

• Service request, to be filled out at the counters.
• Identity card
• Certificate of technical control of the vehicle. (DPSHTRR)
• Ownership documentation of the vehicle, issued by the official state where the vehicle comes from: a circulation permit and/or ownership certificate, or deregistration for export – original documents required for viewing 
• Customs clearance document issued by the Albanian Customs
• A valid acquisition document.
• Vehicle insurance contract.
• RBS Certification (issued by Securities Registrar).
• Notarized copy of residence permit for foreign citizens

Importing a new vehicle (buying a new 0 km vehicle abroad), apply at the service windows of the Directory of Road Transport Service with these documents:

• Request for service, which is completed at the counters.
• Identification document, which after being photocopied by the service employee, is returned to you.
• Certificate of technical control of the vehicle. (DPSHTRR)
• Certificate of conformity or document, with all the necessary technical indicators for the identification of the vehicle, issued by the manufacturer, (original)
• The Customs Clearance Document issued by the Albanian Customs (original)
• Valid Property acquisition document
• Vehicle insurance contract.