Driving in San Marino from the UK: what you need
Checked against official sources on 8 November 2026 · Sources at the bottom of this page
Driving your own car to San Marino? You need:
- An international driving permit as well as your UK licence Unlike Italy: a 1968 permit, £5.50 at a PayPoint, UK only
- A UK sticker, unless your number plate shows "UK" with the Union flag GB stickers are no longer valid: remove or cover them
- Your logbook (V5C) and insurance certificate Check with your insurer that San Marino is covered. Hire or lease car from the UK? Take a VE103 certificate
- A passport for everyone in the car San Marino follows the Schengen rules
- Winter tyres or chains from 15 November to 31 March
🛂 Passports and borders
San Marino follows the Schengen rules. You enter through Italy, and there are no border controls. Your passport is checked, and the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) records your fingerprints, when you first enter Schengen, usually at Dover or Folkestone. Your passport must be less than 10 years old on the day you arrive and valid for 3 months after you leave.
Check your passport for San Marino →San Marino has its own road rules
Although you reach it through Italy, San Marino has its own Highway Code. The biggest differences for visitors:
- A 70 km/h limit on every road, unless signs show lower.
- An international driving permit is needed as well as your UK licence.
- Winter equipment runs to 31 March, not 15 April as in Italy.
Most visitors drive from Rimini on the Italian A14 motorway, then up to the city. The historic centre has restricted traffic zones, so use the signed car parks.
Speed limits in San Marino
| Road | Limit |
|---|---|
| All roads, unless signed lower | 70 km/h≈ 43 mph |
Some areas have 30 km/h zones and restricted traffic zones. Speeding more than 60 km/h over the limit brings the heaviest fines and a licence suspension.
Rules that catch UK drivers out
🍷 Drink-drive limit
0.5 g/l, and zero for drivers who've held their licence for less than 3 years or are under 18.
📵 Hands-free phones only
Using a handheld phone while driving is banned.
🏰 Historic centre
The old town has restricted traffic zones. Park in the signed car parks and walk.
❄️ Winter tyres or chains 15 Nov – 31 Mar
From 15 November 2026 to 31 March 2027, all cars must have winter tyres or snow chains on board. Motorbikes and scooters can't be used when there's snow or ice.
In Italy, the winter period on signed roads runs to 15 April: see driving in Italy.
Breakdowns and emergencies
- Call 112 or 113 for the police, 118 for an ambulance or 115 for fire.
- Put on a hi-vis vest before you get out, and place the warning triangle behind the car if it's safe to.
Hiring a car in San Marino instead
- If you hire a car in Italy, check the hire company allows you to drive into San Marino.
- Hire companies may ask for an international driving permit for San Marino, so take one.
FAQs
Do I need an international driving permit for San Marino?
Yes. Unlike Italy, GOV.UK says you need a 1968 international driving permit as well as your UK licence to drive in San Marino. You can only buy one in the UK, at shops with PayPoint, for £5.50.
What is the speed limit in San Marino?
70 km/h (about 43 mph) on every road unless signs show a lower limit. San Marino has its own Highway Code, so Italian limits don't apply.
Do I need winter tyres in San Marino?
From 15 November 2026 to 31 March 2027, all cars need winter tyres or snow chains on board. That ends 2 weeks earlier than Italy's winter period.
What is the drink-drive limit in San Marino?
0.5 g/l, and zero for drivers who've held their licence for less than 3 years.
Are there border checks between Italy and San Marino?
No. San Marino follows the Schengen rules, you enter through Italy, and there are no border controls.
More for your trip
Sources
Checked on 8 November 2026. Rules change, so check the official sources before you travel.