Renting a Car in Pakistan as a Foreigner or Overseas Pakistani: The Complete Guide

Planning a trip to Pakistan and wondering whether you can hire a car and drive yourself? You can. Since 1993, Classic Car Rent A Car has been renting self-drive vehicles to tourists, international visitors and overseas Pakistanis coming home to see family. This guide explains what you need to bring, what to arrange before you fly, and how pickup and delivery work.

Who can rent a car

The rule is simple: you must be 21 or older and hold a valid driving licence. That applies to foreign tourists, overseas Pakistanis and local customers alike.

Our service is self-drive. We hand you the car and you drive it yourself. For many of our clients that is the point: your own schedule, your own route, and no waiting for anyone. If you would rather not drive, an experienced uniformed chauffeur is available on request.

There is also no restriction on kilometres. Drive as many kilometres as you want during your rental, whether that is a few city trips or a long road trip.

We have served overseas visitors and overseas Pakistanis for over three decades, so the process is familiar to us. Visiting family in Lahore, travelling between cities for work, or exploring Pakistan as a tourist, the requirements below are the same.

Documents you need

These are the documents we require from overseas visitors, which includes both foreign tourists and overseas Pakistanis:

• Age and licenceYou must be 21 or older with a valid driving licence.
• PassportA photocopy of your passport.
• Driving licenceA photocopy of your home driving licence or your international driving licence (IDP recommended).

Home licence or International Driving Permit?

We accept a photocopy of either your home driving licence or an International Driving Permit (IDP). We recommend the IDP.

An IDP presents your licence details in a standard, multi-language format, which makes it easier for anyone who needs to check it, including police on the road. It is not a licence on its own. You carry it together with your original licence.

If you want one, arrange it before you fly. An IDP has to be obtained in the country that issued your driving licence, usually through your national motoring association or licensing authority, so it is not something to leave until you arrive in Pakistan.

Pickup, delivery and insurance

You do not have to find our office on your first day. We offer airport and doorstep delivery, so the car can meet you at the airport or at your hotel or home. Delivery charges depend on the location and are quoted on WhatsApp, so message us your city and address and we will confirm.

Optional insurance is available. Ask us about it when you book so you can decide what suits your trip.

Our fleet is made up of Hondas, Toyotas, Suzukis and KIAs, from small fuel-efficient cars to spacious SUVs. Our daily rates are published on each city page before you ever message us, and the longer you rent, the lower the daily rate drops. Tell us your route and how many people are travelling, and we will suggest a car that fits.

Please note that our office hours are 10 AM to 6 PM Pakistan time, and we are not open 24/7. Message us with your arrival time so we can confirm what is possible for your pickup or delivery.

Practical driving tips

A few things that help first-time visitors:

• Traffic drives on the left in Pakistan. If you normally drive on the right, take the first few kilometres slowly.
• City traffic is dense. In large cities such as Lahore and Rawalpindi, drive defensively and allow extra time for every journey.
• The M-2 motorway uses an electronic toll tag (M-Tag). It is one tag for the whole motorway, and you top it up before you enter the toll lane. This is easier, and often cheaper, than paying cash in the cash lane, so check the balance before you set off.
• Download offline maps. Mobile signal can drop in mountain areas, so save your route before you leave.
• Fill up before long stretches, especially before heading into the mountains.
• Avoid mountain roads after dark and check weather and road conditions before you set off. They change with the season.
• Keep your documents with you whenever you drive: your licence, IDP if you have one, and your rental paperwork.

Cities we serve

Classic Car Rent A Car has rental pages for seven cities. Choose yours to see the details:

• Islamabad
• Rawalpindi
• Lahore
• Faisalabad
• Peshawar
• Multan
• Sialkot

We also deliver to other cities and towns across Pakistan. If your destination is not listed above, message us your location on WhatsApp and we will confirm the delivery details and charges.

How to book

1. Message us on WhatsApp with your travel dates, your city and the car you would like.
2. We confirm availability and the delivery details, including the delivery charge for your location.
3. Get your documents ready: your passport photocopy and your home or international driving licence photocopy. You must be 21 or older.
4. Collect or receive your car and start your trip.

Frequently asked questions