Driving in Armenia presents few challenges, even if your fellow motorists are likely to drive a little wilder than what you are used to at home. For general tips, see Driving the Silk Road. Here we discuss Armenian roads and road rules, insurance, customs clearance, car rental and repair.
Table of Contents
Car rental
For now, car rental in Armenia means pick-up and drop-off in Yerevan, where there are plenty of options, or at Gyumri airport.
Police and road rules
Police is kind to foreigners; talking your way out of paying a fine tends to be easy. The Yerevan-Gyumri road has a large police presence; only cross the solid white line if you are certain no cops are waiting for you.
Speed limits are:
- 60 km/h inside villages and cities
- 90 km/h on the open road
- 110 km/h on highways
Other rules:
- You are required to have a warning triangle, first aid kit and fire extinguisher with you in the car.
- You do not need an international driver’s permit.
- Winter tires are not compulsory in the snowy season. They are very useful, though.
Crossing borders with a rental car
Most firms will allow the car to be taken to Georgia but there may be a surcharge. For more details, see our guide to Armenian border crossings.
Road quality
Potholes in Armenia are highlighted with paint, making them much easier to see. The main roads in the country are very good to excellent.
Parking in Yerevan
Finding parking space in the city center can be difficult. Plenty of hotels claim they have parking, by which they mean street parking, which is not always guaranteed. Make sure you know what you are getting, or consider staying just outside of the center.
For long-term parking and the papers necessary, see the car storage in Armenia forum thread.
Insurance and border payments
Import tax
A few reports have come in regarding the payments to enter by car or motorbike, more data points are very still welcome in the driving in Armenia thread.
One couple reported paying some 100 euro of different taxes at the border. Another couple reported paying much less, 9500 dram. Then there is a road tax, but no fuel tax coming from Iran. Some motorcyclists report paying nothing at all. The import duties / eco tax seem to hinge on the vehicle value and age.
You can get a one-year TIP (temporary import permit) at the border. How to extend your car’s stay beyond that we do not know yet.
Insurance
Insurance is mandatory in Armenia since April 2018.The minimum insurance period is 10 days, but you can get insurance for longer periods as well.
You can buy it at the border, but it is cheaper to buy it online via ASWA, which aggregates all the Armenian insurance companies. The cheapest reports come out on 3000-4000 dram for 2 weeks.
If you decide to get it at the border, most reports seem to indicate it is a lot more expensive than getting it online.
Please let us know how it worked out for you.
Q&A
All questions and reports about driving in Armenia are welcome at our driving in Armenia forum thread.