Driving in Botswana

Drive on the left

Botswana drives on the left, same as the UK: vehicles are right-hand drive and overtaking is on the right.

UK photocard licence accepted for short visits

UK and EU photocard driving licences are valid for visits of up to six months; carry the photocard at all times.

Passport with 6 months validity and 2 blank pages

Visitors need a passport valid 6 months beyond entry with at least two blank pages; UK nationals get 90 days visa-free.

Cross-border papers for your own vehicle

If bringing a car from South Africa/Namibia you need the V5C/registration, a police clearance letter if not the owner, and a ZA-style cross-border letter from the hire company.

Road Permit + fees paid at the border

Foreign-registered vehicles pay a Road Permit (~BWP 90, ~EUR 6), Third-Party Insurance (~BWP 50, ~EUR 3.50) and a Road Safety Levy on entry: paid in cash or card at the border post.

Speed limits 120 / 100 / 60 km/h

Open highways 120 km/h, rural/secondary roads 100 km/h, built-up areas 60 km/h, and 40 km/h past schools: speed cameras and police radar traps are common on the A1.

BAC limit 0.08 g/100ml

Blood-alcohol limit is 0.08 g/100ml (same as England), but enforcement via roadblocks is strict and penalties include immediate detention.

Seatbelts and no handheld phones

Front and rear seatbelts are compulsory, handheld mobile use is banned, and headlights must be on in rain, fog or dust.

Two red warning triangles and reflective vest

Vehicles must carry two red reflective warning triangles, a hi-vis vest, and white/yellow reflective tape on the front and red on the rear (especially for trailers and 4x4s).

Wildlife on roads. No night driving

Avoid driving between dusk and dawn: elephants, cattle, donkeys and kudu on unfenced roads cause frequent fatal collisions, especially on the A3 Nata–Maun and A33 Kasane routes.