What Documents Do You Need to Rent a Car in Syria?

Document questions are the single most common thing travellers ask before renting a car in Syria. The good news: the core list is short. The important part is confirming your specific case before you travel, because details vary by nationality and vehicle type.

What documents do you need to rent a car in Syria?

You need three things to rent a car in Syria: a valid passport, a valid driving licence, and your booking confirmation. Some nationalities and vehicle classes involve additional paperwork, and an International Driving Permit is recommended if your licence is not in Arabic or English. Confirm your exact case with the rental company before arrival.

That is the complete core list. Now the detail on each.

Passport: what matters

• Must be valid for your entire stay — the rental is registered against it.
• Bring the physical passport to pickup, not a photo.
• For Syrians abroad with dual documents, either a Syrian passport or a foreign passport works — see our guide for Syrian expats renting in Damascus for the specifics.

Driving licence: national licence and the IDP question

• Your national driving licence is the base requirement, held for at least two years for most vehicle classes.
• An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a translation document that accompanies — never replaces — your licence. It is recommended when your licence is not in Arabic or English, and inexpensive to obtain in your home country before travel.
• GCC licences are widely recognised; European and North American licences are commonly accepted with an IDP recommended alongside.

If you are unsure whether your specific licence works, send a photo of it over WhatsApp when booking — that settles the question in minutes rather than at the pickup counter.

booking confirmation and payment documents

• Your booking confirmation ties the car, dates, and agreed price together — keep it on your phone.
• Ask for the rental conditions in writing before payment: daily rate, insurance, deposit amount, and delivery fees if any.
• The deposit depends on vehicle class and is agreed before pickup; cash payment is accepted at Auris Cars, so a credit card is not a blocker.

What about the visa?

Your Syrian visa or entry approval is an immigration requirement for the trip itself — separate from renting a car. Rental companies do not issue or check visas; they check the passport you enter with. Visa rules differ by nationality and change over time, so verify them with official sources for your country.

Pre-flight checklist

• Passport valid for the full stay
• National driving licence (2+ years)
• IDP if your licence is not in Arabic or English
• booking confirmation saved on your phone
• Written quote: rate, insurance, deposit
• Flight number sent for Damascus airport pickup
• Support number saved before departure

With these confirmed in advance, pickup takes minutes. Auris Cars checks every document question individually over WhatsApp in English, Arabic, or Turkish before you fly — ask early, and arrive with zero paperwork surprises.