Asia · driving guide
Driving in Macau.
They drive on the left. Translation accepted. Here is what a rental desk and a roadside check will actually ask you for.
Drives on the
Left
Permit
Translation accepted
Typical minimum age
18
Which side of the road does Macau drive on?
Macau drives on the left. If you normally drive on the right, the two things that catch people out are roundabouts and the first turn out of the rental car park — both are worth taking slowly. Cars are usually configured with the driver's seat on the right, so the gear selector will be in your other hand.
Do you need an international driving permit in Macau?
Not necessarily. A certified translation of your licence satisfies the local requirement. We would rather tell you that than sell you a document you do not need.
Minimum age to rent a car in Macau
Most rental companies in Macau will not release a vehicle to anyone under 18, and many apply a young-driver surcharge below 25. Age limits are set by the rental company rather than by law, so they vary between firms at the same airport — check the terms on the booking rather than assuming.
What to carry when driving in Macau
Your national driving licence, a certified translation of it, the vehicle's rental agreement and insurance documents, and your passport. Keep them together and reachable from the driver's seat — a roadside check goes faster when nothing has to come out of the boot.
Convention status
Macau has acceded to the 1968 Vienna convention. That is what makes a permit issued under it readable to an official there.
Questions about driving in Macau
Which side of the road do they drive on in Macau?
Macau drives on the left. Rental cars are configured accordingly, with the driver's seat on the right.
Do I need an international driving permit in Macau?
Macau accepts a certified translation of your national licence rather than requiring a convention permit. A certified translation of your licence satisfies the local requirement.
How old do you have to be to rent a car in Macau?
Rental companies in Macau generally require drivers to be at least 18, with a surcharge often applied under 25. The limit is set by the company, not by law, so it varies between firms.