Driving in Jordan ended up being far easier than I expected—and honestly, one of the best decisions of the trip. Outside of the main cities like Aqaba and Amman, the roads are quiet, well-maintained, and surprisingly straightforward to navigate.
That said, there are a few things I wish I knew before getting behind the wheel—some of which caught me completely off guard.
If you’re planning to rent a car in Jordan, here’s what it’s actually like—and what you need to know.
Quick Facts About Driving in Jordan
If you’re planning to rent a car in Jordan, here are the key things you need to know:
- Is it safe to drive in Jordan? Yes—driving in Jordan is generally safe, especially outside major cities. The main hazards are speed bumps, animals, and night driving conditions rather than aggressive drivers.
- Which side of the road do they drive on? The right-hand side.
- Do you need an international driving permit (IDP)? Not always, but it’s recommended. Most rental companies accept a standard licence, but an IDP avoids any issues at checkpoints.
- Are roads in Jordan good quality? Mostly yes. Highways and major routes are well maintained, but smaller roads can be poorly lit and less predictable.
- Is driving in Jordan easy for tourists? Surprisingly, yes. Once you leave cities like Amman, traffic drops off significantly and driving becomes very straightforward.
- Can you drive in Jordan at night? You can—but I wouldn’t recommend it. Many roads have no street lighting, unexpected bends, and hazards that are hard to see.
Is Driving in Jordan Easy? (My Honest Experience)
Jordan is most certainly one of the easiest countries to drive in that I have found. There is very little traffic on the roads outside of the major cities like Aqaba and Amman, and the roads are well maintained for the most part.
Compared to other countries I’ve driven in, it felt surprisingly relaxed—at least once you leave the cities behind.
It got to the point where I even drove from Wadi Musa back to Amman airport without using maps.
I should note that I didn’t actually drive in Aqaba, as I chose not to visit it on this trip. So my experience (and advice) is based entirely on driving outside of major city environments.
With that said, there are a couple of things you should know before you choose to drive in Jordan.
Driving at Night in Jordan (My First-Night Mistake)
This is something I didn’t plan for at all—and it very nearly ended badly.
My flight was delayed, so by the time I picked up the car I ended up driving at night on smaller roads with no street lighting at all.
At first, it felt fine. Quiet roads, no traffic—easy.
But then a bend came out of nowhere.
And I mean completely out of nowhere.
I almost went straight off the road because I simply wasn’t expecting it. These weren’t mountain passes or obvious winding roads—just normal-looking roads that, for absolutely no clear reason, suddenly aren’t straight.
That was my first real reminder that this was, very on-brand, a trip booked without thought.
- Avoid driving at night if you can
- Especially on smaller roads
- Don’t assume roads will stay straight just because they look like they should
Police Checkpoints in Jordan (What Actually Happens)
There are police absolutely everywhere in Jordan, which can feel a bit intimidating at first.
However, after being stopped 7 times during my trip, I can categorically say the police in Jordan are some of the easiest I’ve ever dealt with.
Most of the time, the interaction went no further than:
“Welcome to Jordan, have a good day!”
On the occasions they did ask questions, it was usually just:
- Where I had come from
- Where I was going
Very occasionally, they asked for documentation—but not what you might expect.
They’re usually not asking for your driving licence. Instead, they want a vehicle registration card, which is typically kept in the glove box of your rental car.
Make sure you have:
- Your passport
- Your driving licence
- The car’s registration card (provided by the rental company)
As long as you have those, checkpoints are quick and painless.
Speed Bumps in Jordan (The One Thing That Will Catch You Off Guard)
After driving in England for most of my life, seeing speed bumps as frequently as I did in Jordan was honestly shocking.
They are everywhere.
And not just on small residential streets—even major roads like the King’s Highway have them.
I found that out the hard way when I hit one at 90km/h on my first night after landing… something I would strongly recommend avoiding.
The tricky part is they’re not always obvious until you’re close, especially at night.
What to look out for:
- Pedestrian crossing signs
- Overhead warning signs
- Slight road markings (not always clear)
Once you know they’re there, you start spotting them—but until then, they come out of nowhere.
Animals on the Roads in Jordan (Yes, Including Camels)
Another thing to keep an eye out for: animals.
And not just the occasional one—they’re everywhere.
Dogs, donkeys, goats, and camels regularly wander onto the roads without warning. They have absolutely no concern for traffic and will move at their own pace, right through the middle of the road.
It doesn’t matter if it’s:
- A quiet backroad
- A main highway
- Day or night
You always need to stay alert.
This was probably the most unpredictable part of driving in Jordan, and the one thing you can never fully relax about.
Where You Should (and Shouldn’t) Drive in Jordan
Based on my experience, driving in Jordan is at its best once you’re outside of the major cities.
The further out you get, the easier it becomes.
Where Driving in Jordan Is Easy
Most of the country falls into this category.
Highways and main routes between destinations like Petra and Wadi Rum (which I break down more in my full Jordan travel guide) are:
- Quiet
- Well maintained
- Easy to follow
This is where driving in Jordan actually becomes enjoyable. You can cover long distances without much stress, and it gives you a lot more flexibility than relying on tours.
Where Driving Can Be More Difficult
Cities are where things change.
Although I didn’t drive in Aqaba (so I can’t speak from experience there), places like Amman are known for:
- Heavier traffic
- Less structured driving
- More chaotic road layouts
Even without driving there myself, it’s pretty clear that city driving in Jordan is a completely different experience from the open roads.
My Recommendation
If you’re comfortable driving abroad, Jordan is a great place to rent a car—but I would:
- Focus on driving between destinations
- Avoid unnecessary city driving where possible
- Pick up and drop off your car strategically
That way, you get all the benefits of having a car without the more stressful parts.
Do You Need a Car in Jordan?
One of the biggest reasons I ended up renting a car in Jordan was simply because there isn’t much in the way of reliable public transport.
Getting between places like Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea without a car would have meant relying on tours or arranging private transport, which removes a lot of flexibility.
For me, renting a car just made everything easier—and gave me the freedom to move at my own pace.
Is It Safe to Drive in Jordan?
Overall—yes.
Driving in Jordan is generally safe, especially compared to many other countries in the region.
The main risks aren’t aggressive drivers or dangerous roads—they’re:
- Unexpected speed bumps
- Animals
- Poor visibility at night on smaller roads
As long as you stay alert and adjust for those, it’s a very manageable place to drive.
Is It Worth Renting a Car in Jordan?
For me, 100% yes.
Driving gave me complete freedom to explore the country at my own pace without relying on tours or public transport.
But more than that, some of my favourite moments from the trip weren’t actually the destinations—they were the drives themselves.
Driving through the mountains and desert, especially along roads like the King’s Highway, ended up being just as memorable as anything I had planned.
If you’re planning your trip, I break down routes, destinations, and logistics in my full Jordan travel guide.
And if you’re trying to keep costs down while renting a car and traveling around, check out my guide on how to save money in Jordan.
Despite a few surprises (mainly speed bumps and animals), it was overall:
- Easy
- Safe
- And far less stressful than expected
If you’re comfortable driving abroad, Jordan is actually a great place to do it.
