Country driving guide · 2026
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Central African Republic: 10 legal requirements + 5 other things worth knowing.
Required
Recommended
Good to know
Tick before you go
10 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
FCDO advises against all travel to CAR
The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to the entire country due to armed conflict, kidnapping risk and lawlessness: self-drive by foreign visitors is not realistic and most insurers will not cover it.
1949 IDP required alongside national licence
Central African Republic recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP; UK drivers must obtain one from the Post Office (GBP 5.50) and carry it with their photocard licence at all times.
Passport with valid visa
All UK and most EU nationals need a visa arranged in advance through the CAR embassy in Paris or Brussels, plus a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter.
Carte Brune (CEMAC) insurance
Standard UK/EU motor insurance and the Green Card are not valid; you must buy a CEMAC Carte Rose/Brune regional policy at the border or in Bangui, typically XAF 25,000-60,000 (EUR 38-90).
Carnet de Passage for own vehicle
Bringing a foreign-plated vehicle requires a Carnet de Passage en Douane (CPD) issued by the RAC or AIT-affiliated club, plus the original V5C: temporary import without one risks seizure.
Drive on the right
Traffic drives on the right; UK drivers must adjust headlamp beam pattern with deflector stickers before crossing.
Speed limits 50 / 80 / 110 km/h
Urban 50 km/h, rural 80 km/h, and the few paved national highways 110 km/h, but road surfaces rarely allow these speeds in practice.
Blood alcohol limit 0.8 g/L
The legal BAC is 0.8 g/L, higher than most of Europe, but enforcement is via roadside checkpoints where any sign of drinking will trigger problems.
Warning triangle and spare wheel
Vehicles must carry a reflective warning triangle, spare wheel and basic tool kit; a fire extinguisher and first-aid kit are also expected at checkpoints.
Cash declaration over XAF 1,000,000
Amounts above XAF 1,000,000 (about EUR 1,525) must be declared at the border on entry and exit, and export of CFA francs is restricted.
The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to the entire country due to armed conflict, kidnapping risk and lawlessness: self-drive by foreign visitors is not realistic and most insurers will not cover it.
Central African Republic recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP; UK drivers must obtain one from the Post Office (GBP 5.50) and carry it with their photocard licence at all times.
All UK and most EU nationals need a visa arranged in advance through the CAR embassy in Paris or Brussels, plus a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter.
Standard UK/EU motor insurance and the Green Card are not valid; you must buy a CEMAC Carte Rose/Brune regional policy at the border or in Bangui, typically XAF 25,000-60,000 (EUR 38-90).
Bringing a foreign-plated vehicle requires a Carnet de Passage en Douane (CPD) issued by the RAC or AIT-affiliated club, plus the original V5C: temporary import without one risks seizure.
Traffic drives on the right; UK drivers must adjust headlamp beam pattern with deflector stickers before crossing.
Urban 50 km/h, rural 80 km/h, and the few paved national highways 110 km/h, but road surfaces rarely allow these speeds in practice.
The legal BAC is 0.8 g/L, higher than most of Europe, but enforcement is via roadside checkpoints where any sign of drinking will trigger problems.
Only about 700 km of roads are paved; a high-clearance 4x4 with spare fuel, water and recovery kit is mandatory in practice, and convoy travel is strongly advised.
Dial 117 for police or 1212 for the gendarmerie; outside Bangui there is effectively no roadside assistance or functioning emergency response.
Vehicles must carry a reflective warning triangle, spare wheel and basic tool kit; a fire extinguisher and first-aid kit are also expected at checkpoints.
There are no motorways, no toll roads and no vignette, but expect frequent informal checkpoints (barrages) where small XAF 1,000-2,000 "fees" are routinely demanded.
Heavy rains from May to October make most unpaved roads impassable; the dry season (November-April) is the only realistic window for overland travel.
The Central African CFA franc is pegged to the euro at EUR 1 = XAF 655.957; petrol is around XAF 1,050/litre (EUR 1.60) when available, and fuel must be paid in cash with no card acceptance outside top Bangui hotels.
Amounts above XAF 1,000,000 (about EUR 1,525) must be declared at the border on entry and exit, and export of CFA francs is restricted.
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Don't get caught out
Traffic drives on the right; UK drivers must adjust headlamp beam pattern with deflector stickers before crossing.
Urban 50 km/h, rural 80 km/h, and the few paved national highways 110 km/h, but road surfaces rarely allow these speeds in practice.
The legal BAC is 0.8 g/L, higher than most of Europe, but enforcement is via roadside checkpoints where any sign of drinking will trigger problems.