Driving in Kyrgyzstan: Rules, Roads & Speed Limits

Driving in Kyrgyzstan is a great way to see the country from every side: you travel on your own and are not tied to a tour group’s schedule.

Ready for a 4×4 adventure in Kyrgyzstan? Rent a car in Kyrgyzstan and hit the road!

Driving licence: carry your original licence plus an International Driving Permit or a translation of your licence into Russian or Kyrgyz; copies and digital licences are not accepted. No IDP? We make the translation for 30 EUR in one business day. Details: IDP or licence translation for Kyrgyzstan.

Speed limits:

60 km/h – city
90 km/h – highways

Follow the road signs.

If the police stop you for speeding, they must have a video showing your car, the time and your speed.
Keep your headlights on at all times on highways.
Absolutely no alcohol: if the police can smell alcohol, you are considered drunk.

We are happy to brief you on driving safely in Kyrgyzstan, including how to deal with the police.

Useful information for your self-drive trip in Kyrgyzstan:

Border zones: some destinations – such as Kel-Suu lake, Enilchek and Lenin Peak base camp – are in border zones. You need a border permit to go there.

Prohibited areas for driving in Kyrgyzstan:

Some areas in our country are closed to driving for safety reasons:

Kok-Airyk Pass – the road no longer exists / map error
Ton Pass – the road no longer exists / map error
Tosor Pass – dangerous off-road conditions
Arabel Pass – closed to driving
Terek Pass – closed to driving
Altyn Arashan and Karakol gorge – closed to driving
Chatyr-Kul – Kel-Suu road – all bridges are damaged
Kel-Suu lake (after the yurt camp) – the last 8 km to the lake have to be done on foot
Enilchek (after Mayda-Adyr base camp) – no bridges over deep rivers
Kyzyl-Oi – Toluk – dangerous off-road conditions
Turasu valley – no bridges over deep rivers
Ak-Say valley (M-086) – dangerous off-road conditions
Shaldyrak Pass – dangerous off-road conditions
Kegety Pass – the road no longer exists / map error