Can I drive in Montenegro on a foreign driving licence? Yes. A foreigner staying temporarily may drive on a valid foreign licence while it is valid, and a foreigner granted residence for six months from entry.
Local searches show what people want to know about driving licences: "zamjena vozačke dozvole" (driving licence exchange) is followed by "cijena" (price) and names of countries in the region, and people also search "vozacka dozvola za strance crna gora" (driving licence for foreigners Montenegro). In English people search "international driving licence montenegro" and "can i drive in montenegro with" plus country names, in German "führerschein montenegro umschreiben", in Turkish "karadağ türk ehliyeti geçerli mi" and in Russian "замена прав в черногории". The answers come from the Law on Road Traffic Safety.
This article explains who may drive on a foreign licence and for how long, what the law says about the international driving permit, how a foreign licence is exchanged for a Montenegrin one and which fines apply since the 2026 amendments.
Who may drive on a foreign licence
| Who | Rule |
| A foreigner staying temporarily in Montenegro | May drive on a valid foreign licence or an international permit together with the foreign licence, while the foreign licence is valid |
| A Montenegrin citizen residing in another country | The same rule as for a foreigner staying temporarily |
| A foreigner granted temporary or permanent residence, or international or temporary protection | May drive on a foreign licence for six months from the day of entry into Montenegro |
| Staff of foreign trade, transport, cultural and other offices and foreign news bureaus | Six months from the day of entry |
| A Montenegrin citizen returning to live permanently in Montenegro | Six months from the day of entry |
| Staff of diplomatic and consular missions | While the foreign licence is valid |
If you have been granted residence, count on the six-month limit. The order of steps from registering your stay to a permit is described in our article on the first 90 days in Montenegro, and the conditions for permanent residence in our article on which years count.
International driving permit
An international driving permit is a public document issued on the basis of a valid national licence and valid only together with it. Among the offences, the law lists driving on a foreign driving licence without an international permit for the category being driven. It is therefore safer to drive with an international permit alongside your national licence.
Exchange for a Montenegrin licence without a test
A foreigner staying temporarily in Montenegro and a foreigner granted residence receive a Montenegrin driving licence on request, without taking a driving test, on the basis of a valid foreign licence, if they:
- meet the age requirements for the category;
- are medically fit, proven by a medical certificate no more than one year old;
- have habitual residence in Montenegro;
- are not banned from driving;
- are not in the register of fines as penalised for a road traffic safety offence.
A person has habitual residence if they stay in Montenegro lawfully for at least 185 days in a calendar year, because of personal or business ties that closely connect them to the place where they stay. Someone whose business ties are in one country and personal ties in another has habitual residence where the personal ties are, provided they return there regularly.
| Step | What the law says |
| Surrendering the foreign licence | The foreign licence is handed to the Ministry of the Interior, which returns it to the issuing country |
| Unclear category or lost licence | Proof of the categories from the authority of the issuing country is required |
| One licence | A person may hold only one driving licence |
| Roadside check | If a driver holds both a Montenegrin and a foreign licence, the police confiscate the foreign one on the spot and send it back to the issuer |
The law does not set the fees or the cost of the medical examination, so we do not give them here; check them when you apply.
Fines from August 2026
Amendments published on 30 July 2026 raised the fines:
| Offence | Fine |
| Driving on a foreign licence without an international permit | €60 to €200 |
| Driving without a valid driving licence, or without a foreign licence and international permit | €300 to €600, with a possible 60-day driving ban |
| Driving without ever having passed the driving test for that category | €600 to €1,000 and a six-month driving ban |
After six months, a foreign licence is no longer a basis for driving for people granted residence. The same amendments introduced rules for young drivers: a driver under 21 may not drive between 00 and 5 a.m., or a category B vehicle with more than 80 kW, unless supervised by a driver with at least five years of experience.
Anyone selling or buying a car will find the rules on the contract, tax and transfer in our article on how to sell a car in Montenegro, and vehicles in our vehicle category.
Short checklist
| Situation | What to do |
| You come as a tourist | Drive with a valid licence; an international permit alongside it reduces the risk of a fine |
| You have been granted temporary or permanent residence | You have six months from entry to drive on a foreign licence |
| You stay at least 185 days a year | You can exchange your licence without a test |
| You hold a Montenegrin and a foreign licence | The police will confiscate the foreign one; you may hold only one |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an international driving permit? Among the offences, the law lists driving on a foreign licence without an international permit, with a fine of €60 to €200. It is therefore safer to carry one alongside your national licence.
How do I exchange a foreign driving licence in Montenegro? You apply for a Montenegrin licence on the basis of a valid foreign one, with a medical certificate and without a test, if you have habitual residence in Montenegro. The foreign licence is surrendered.
What is habitual residence? Lawful stay in Montenegro for at least 185 days in a calendar year, with personal or business ties that closely connect you to the place where you stay.
Can I keep both the foreign and the Montenegrin licence? No. A person may hold only one driving licence, and at a check the police confiscate the foreign one if the driver also holds a Montenegrin licence.
What is the fine for driving without a valid licence? Since August 2026, €300 to €600, with a possible 60-day ban; someone who never passed the test for that category pays €600 to €1,000 and gets a six-month ban.
Sources
Conditions for driving, foreign and international licences, exchange, habitual residence, confiscation of a foreign licence and fines are governed by the Law on Road Traffic Safety (Official Gazette of Montenegro 33/2012, 58/2014, 14/2017, 66/2019 and 111/2026, articles 7, 176, 176a, 177, 297, 319 and 325). The 2026 amendments entered into force on the eighth day after publication on 30 July 2026. Fijaka is a listings platform and does not give legal advice; for a specific application, contact the Ministry of the Interior.