We hand car keys to tourists every day at Tirana International Airport. Before most of them leave our lot, the conversation covers Albania traffic fines, what police look for, what to carry in the car, and what to do if something goes wrong.
This guide draws from the Kodi Rrugor i Republikës së Shqipërisë, Law No. 8378, the official Albanian Road Code, with amendments through 2024. Read it before you drive.
Speed Limits
| Zone | Limit |
|---|---|
| Urban areas | 40 km/h |
| Rural and secondary roads | 80 km/h |
| Primary inter-city roads | 90 km/h |
| Highways | 110 km/h |
| A1 Toll roads | 130 km/h |
Fixed speed cameras run on different parts of the road network and traffic police use mobile radar units on other highways. When a fine is issued electronically, it is routed to the rental agency first, then to you, typically with an administrative fee added.
Albania Traffic Fines: The Official Table
All fines are set as minimum-to-maximum ranges in ALL (Albanian Lek). Police have discretion within that range based on severity, context, and driving history.
| Violation | Fine (ALL) | Approx. (€) | Additional Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speeding: 1–10 km/h over limit | 1,000–3,000 | €10–€30 | Standard range |
| Speeding: 10–30 km/h over limit | 2,000–6,000 | €20–€60 | Common in speed trap zones |
| Speeding: 30–50 km/h over limit | 5,000–15,000 | €50–€150 | Licence suspension 1–3 months |
| Speeding: over 50 km/h over limit | 10,000–40,000 | €100–€400 | Licence suspension 3–6 months |
| Drink driving: 0.01–0.5 mg/ml | 5,000–15,000 | €50–€150 | Zero-tolerance window. Licence suspended |
| Drink driving: 0.5–1.2 mg/ml | 10,000–40,000 | €100–€400 | Vehicle impounded. Suspended 6–12 months |
| Drink driving: over 1.2 mg/ml | 20,000–60,000 | €200–€600 | Criminal offence. Arrest possible |
| Handheld phone while driving | 5,000–15,000 | €50–€150 | Heavily targeted by traffic police |
| Seatbelt violation (per person) | 1,000–3,000 | €10–€30 | Fine per unbuckled passenger |
| Illegal overtaking | 5,000–20,000 | €50–€200 | Suspension if judged highly dangerous |
| Running a red light | 5,000–20,000 | €50–€200 | Points deducted. Suspension possible |
| Failure to yield | 1,000–4,000 | €10–€40 | Common at roundabouts |
| Illegal parking / blocking traffic | 1,000–3,000 | €10–€30 | Towing fees charged separately |
| Driving without headlights (outside cities) | 500–2,000 | €5–€20 | Mandatory day and night on highways |
| Missing required safety equipment | 1,000–3,000 | €10–€30 | Vest, triangle, first-aid kit required |
Pay Within 15 Days: 50% Off
Under Albanian law, any fine paid within 15 days of being officially registered is reduced by 50%. This applies to every violation in the table above. Pay through e-Albania, at a post office, or at a local bank.
If a fine reaches you through TIA Rental after you return the car, the 15-day window runs from the date of registration, not the date you receive the notification. Act on it quickly.
Documents You Need
Three sets. If any are missing, police have grounds to impound the vehicle at your expense.
Personal identification. Your passport with a valid Albanian entry stamp.
Driving credentials. Your national driving licence is required. Article 133 of the Albanian Road Code requires non-resident foreign nationals to also carry an International Driving Permit (IDP). Most rental agencies and most officers accept a standard EU, US, or UK licence without asking for the IDP. A strict highway patrol officer, however, has the right to fine you for not carrying one. Bring both if you can arrange it before you travel.
Vehicle documents from TIA Rental. At pickup, we provide: the Leje Qarkullimi (official vehicle registration), the Siguracioni (mandatory third-party insurance valid inside Albania), and your rental agreement listing all authorized drivers by name. Keep the complete package in the glove box throughout the trip. Not at the hotel.
Official Rules of the Road
Priority at intersections. Where no traffic signals or signs are present, vehicles from the right have unconditional priority. Strictly observed in Albanian law and by most drivers.
Roundabouts. Vehicles already circulating inside have legal priority over vehicles entering. In practice, not every driver respects this. Yield defensively regardless of who technically has right-of-way.
Headlights. Low-beam headlights are required at all times outside urban areas, day and night, on highways and inter-urban roads. All TIA Rental cars have automatic daytime running lights that activate when the engine starts.
Overtaking. Prohibited on bends, near hill crests, at intersections, and anywhere a solid white centre line runs between lanes. Albanian mountain roads have long blind sections. These restrictions are enforced and the roads make the logic obvious.
Drinking and driving. Albania’s threshold starts at 0.01 mg/ml. One drink is enough to put most people over it. See the fine table. Do not drink and drive in Albania.
Mobile phones. Using a handheld phone while driving is actively targeted by traffic police throughout the country. Set navigation before you start.
Seatbelts. Mandatory for all passengers, front and rear. The fine applies per unbuckled person.
Required Safety Equipment
Albanian law requires every vehicle to carry four items. The fine for missing equipment is issued to the driver, not the agency. Check the car before you leave our lot.
Reflective vest. Must be worn immediately when exiting a vehicle during a roadside emergency or breakdown. Must be accessible from inside the car — not under luggage in the boot.
Warning triangle. Place at least 50 meters behind the stopped vehicle on standard roads. On a motorway, at least 100 meters.
First aid kit. Must be stocked and within its expiry date.
Fire extinguisher. Required by law in all vehicles.
All TIA Rental cars carry the full legal kit as standard.
If the Police Stop You
Police checkpoints are common and routine in Albania. Officers stand at the roadside with a STOP paddle. Most stops take a few minutes.
Pull over to the right shoulder. Turn off the engine and keep your hands visible on the wheel. Hand over your passport, driving licence (and IDP), and the vehicle document package from the glove box.
Do not offer cash or any informal payment to a police officer in Albania. Anti-corruption enforcement is active, officers carry body cameras, and attempting to offer a bribe is a criminal offence resulting in immediate arrest. Pay any fine through the official channels listed above.
What to Do in an Accident
Minor damage, no injuries. Complete a European Accident Statement form — this is included in your rental documents. Photograph everything before either vehicle moves. Call TIA Rental before doing anything else.
Any injury or significant damage. Do not move the vehicles. Call the emergency line immediately and wait for police to arrive and file an official report. Without that report, your rental insurance coverage is voided.
Emergency Numbers
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Ambulance | 127 |
| Fire department | 128 |
| Traffic police | 129 |
| All emergency services | 112 |
Save all four before you leave the airport. On remote mountain roads, signal can be unreliable, so having the numbers already in your phone matters.
Tow truck services in Albania typically charge in cash. Carry Albanian Lek for this throughout the trip.
Picking up a car at Tirana International Airport? TIA Rental is right outside arrivals. Open 24/7, unlimited mileage, no hidden fees, debit card accepted. Browse the fleet here.
