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Can You Hire a Car in Pakistan with a UK Driving Licence?
Yes, UK visitors can hire a car in Pakistan. If you are 21 or older with a valid UK driving licence, you can hire a self-drive car from Classic Car Rent A Car. Bring a photocopy of your passport and a photocopy of your UK licence or International Driving Permit (IDP recommended). We hand over the car at the airport or your hotel in Islamabad, Lahore and five other cities.
What you need to hire a car in Pakistan from the UK
- Age
- 21 or older.
- Licence
- A valid UK driving licence (photocopy). IDP recommended.
- Passport
- A photocopy of your passport.
- Rental type
- Self-drive. You drive the car yourself.
- Minimum hire
- 3 days in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, 7+ days in our other cities. No limit on kilometres.
- Insurance
- Optional, Rs 1,000 extra per day.
- Payment
- Card, bank transfer, cash or foreign currency.
- Office hours
- 10 AM to 6 PM Pakistan time (6 AM to 2 PM UK summer time).
Whether you are a British tourist, a British Pakistani visiting family in Lahore or Rawalpindi, or travelling for work, the process is the same. This guide explains what to bring, how the UK licence and IDP question works, and how airport pickup and delivery are arranged before you fly.
Did you know? The longer you rent, the less you pay per day. For example, a Kia Sportage is Rs 15,000 per day when you rent it for 3 to 6 days, but only Rs 9,000 per day when you book 30 days or more. Daily rates for every car are on each city page.
Do I need an IDP to drive in Pakistan with a UK licence?
We accept a photocopy of either your UK driving licence or an International Driving Permit. We recommend the IDP. It shows your licence details in a standard, multi-language format, so it is easier for anyone who needs to check it, including police on the road. It is not a licence on its own: carry it together with your original UK licence.
An IDP has to be obtained in the country that issued your licence. In the UK, IDPs are issued through the Post Office, so arrange yours before you fly and check the current rules on GOV.UK. If you are unsure whether your licence is acceptable, message us on WhatsApp before you travel and we will tell you plainly.
Documents to bring when you hire a car in Pakistan
- Passport: a photocopy.
- UK driving licence or IDP: a photocopy of your licence, or of your IDP (recommended). Bring the original licence with you.
- Age: you must be 21 or older.
Tip: keep a scan or photo of each document on your phone as well, and keep the originals with you whenever you drive.
Insurance and responsibility for damage
Insurance is an optional add-on, charged at Rs 1,000 extra per day. If you decline cover, you are responsible for the cost of any damage to the vehicle. We strongly recommend overseas drivers add insurance.
Insurance liability: with insurance, you are responsible for damage to the vehicle up to Rs 169,000 only, and the insurance company pays the remaining amount. This facility is available only to clients who pay the insurance charges. Otherwise, all damage and depreciation must be paid by the client.
Car hire at Islamabad and Lahore airport: pickup and delivery
You do not need to find our office on your first day. A driver can bring the car to the airport and collect it from your hotel or home in all seven of our cities. The charge depends on the airport or address and is quoted on WhatsApp, so message us your city, address and flight arrival time. We also deliver to other cities and towns across Pakistan.
Our fleet includes Hondas, Toyotas, Suzukis and KIAs, from small fuel-efficient cars to spacious SUVs. Tell us your route and how many people are travelling and we will suggest the right one. Our office is open 10 AM to 6 PM Pakistan time, not 24/7, so tell us your arrival time in advance.
Driving in Pakistan as a UK driver
- Traffic drives on the left, exactly as in the UK. Expect denser traffic than at home, especially in Lahore and Rawalpindi, so drive defensively.
- The M-2 motorway uses one electronic toll tag (M-Tag). Top it up before you enter the toll lane. It is easier, and often cheaper, than the cash lane.
- Northern areas are allowed with no restrictions. Just tell us where the car is going.
- Download offline maps, as mobile signal can drop in the mountains, and fill up before long stretches.
- Avoid mountain roads after dark and check weather and road conditions first.
- Fines and tolls during your rental are the renter's responsibility.
Self-drive car hire in Pakistan: cities we serve
Choose your city to see the fleet and daily rates. The minimum rental is 3 days in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and 7+ days in our other cities.
- Car hire in Islamabad
- Car hire in Rawalpindi
- Car hire in Lahore
- Car hire in Faisalabad
- Car hire in Peshawar
- Car hire in Multan
- Car hire in Sialkot
Not listed? Message us your location on WhatsApp and we will confirm delivery. See also our full guide to renting a car in Pakistan as a foreigner.
How to book your car hire from the UK
- Message us on WhatsApp with your travel dates, your city and the car you would like.
- We confirm availability and the delivery details, including the charge for your location.
- Get your documents ready: passport photocopy, UK licence or IDP photocopy. You must be 21 or older.
- Receive your car at the airport or your hotel and start your trip.
Frequently asked questions: car hire in Pakistan with a UK licence
Can I hire a car in Pakistan with a UK driving licence?
Yes. If you are 21 or older with a valid UK driving licence, you can hire a self-drive car from Classic Car Rent A Car. We ask for a photocopy of your passport and a photocopy of your UK licence or International Driving Permit (IDP recommended).
Do I need an IDP to drive in Pakistan with a UK licence?
We accept a photocopy of either your home licence or an IDP, and we recommend the IDP. It presents your licence details in a standard multi-language format, which makes roadside checks easier. Carry it together with your original UK licence.
How do I get an International Driving Permit in the UK?
An IDP has to be obtained in the country that issued your licence, so arrange it before you fly. In the UK, IDPs are issued through the Post Office. Check the current rules and fees on GOV.UK before you apply.
How old do I need to be to hire a car in Pakistan?
You must be 21 or older with a valid driving licence.
Do they drive on the left in Pakistan?
Yes. Traffic drives on the left in Pakistan, the same as in the UK, so UK drivers usually settle in quickly. City traffic is still dense, so allow extra time.
Can I collect the car at Islamabad or Lahore airport?
Yes. A driver can bring the car to the airport and collect it from your hotel or home in all seven of our cities. The charge depends on the airport or address and is quoted on WhatsApp. Message us your flight details and city.
Is there a mileage limit?
No. There is no limit on the kilometres you drive.
What is the minimum rental period?
The minimum self-drive rental is 3 days in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. In our other cities (Lahore, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Multan and Sialkot) the minimum is 7+ days.
Is a longer car hire cheaper per day?
Yes. The longer you rent, the lower the daily rate. For example, a Kia Sportage is Rs 15,000 per day for 3 to 6 days and Rs 9,000 per day for 30 days or more.
Can I drive to the northern areas?
Yes, with no restrictions. We only ask that you tell us where the car is going.
How can I pay?
We accept debit and credit cards, bank transfer, cash and foreign currency.
Is insurance included in the price?
Insurance is optional and costs Rs 1,000 extra per day. With it, you are responsible for damage up to Rs 169,000 and the insurance company pays the rest. Without it, you pay for all damage and depreciation. We strongly recommend overseas drivers add insurance. Traffic challans, fines and tolls are the renter's responsibility.
Can British Pakistanis hire a car from you?
Yes. We have served tourists and overseas Pakistanis since 1993, and the same documents apply to every overseas visitor.
What are your opening hours, and what is that in UK time?
Our office hours are 10 AM to 6 PM Pakistan time, which is 6 AM to 2 PM UK time in summer (BST) and 5 AM to 1 PM in winter (GMT). We are not open 24/7, so message us on WhatsApp with your arrival time.
Visiting from the UK? Message us.
Tell us your dates and city and we will reply in English on WhatsApp.