If you’re at one of the 10 or so car hire locations in Sulaymaniyah, you’ll need to have a valid passport, valid domestic driving licence and an international driving permit (IDP) in order to hire cars in Sulaymaniyah. Drivers must also be at least 23 years of age and have held a driving licence for at least two years to qualify. Visitors with licences in non-Roman text seeking a car hire in Sulaymaniyah should have a certified copy in English as a further requirement. To obtain a cheap car hire in Sulaymaniyah, the acceptable form of payment is with a credit card. Though sometimes debit cards are permitted, using cash is not an option.
Unlike in the UK, you should drive your car hire in Sulaymaniyah on the right-hand side of the road. There are official speed limits of 60 km/h (approximately 37 mph) on urban roads and 100 km/h (62 mph) on rural roads. However, speed limits are rarely observed by locals, so exercise caution at all times and pay attention to posted signs, especially when driving in rural areas. According to Iraqi road rules, the wearing of seatbelts is required when operating vehicles, even in hire cars in Sulaymaniyah, and it is illegal to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol or to use a mobile phone while driving. It’s advisable to check with the Iraqi or Sulaymaniyah Department of Motor Vehicles for recent law changes.
In Iraq, petrol prices are cheap in comparison with the UK, so concerns about fuel efficiency may not top your list. There are, however, a high percentage of unpaved roads outside most city limits in Iraq, so an SUV or passenger van hire is not a bad idea. If you stick to the city streets, then an economy car hire is a better option; although, a luxury car hire in Sulaymaniyah will be an attractive option to many due to low petrol prices.
Unless otherwise prohibited, it is legal to park your car hire in Sulaymaniyah on the city streets. Some city hotels may offer onsite parking, which is a great amenity to have if available. For those with security concerns using cheap car hire in Sulaymaniyah, a public car park is recommended. There are several within the downtown area from which to choose, while parking at Sulaymaniyah International Airport (ISU) may be an option to others. Short-term airport parking (24 hours or under) is about IQD 3,000 (GBP 1.50) per day and about IQD 2,500 (GBP 1.25) for long-term parking (24 hours or more).
Yes, hiring a vehicle at Sulaymaniyah Int. Airport for a month is certainly possible.