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Country driving guide · 2026

Driving in Djibouti

Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Djibouti: 8 legal requirements + 9 other things worth knowing.

8

Required

3

Recommended

6

Good to know

Tick before you go

Pre-departure checklist for Djibouti

8 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.

  • 1949 IDP required alongside national licence

    Djibouti recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit; UK/EU drivers must carry both the IDP and their home licence.

  • Passport with 6 months validity plus visa

    Most nationalities need an e-visa obtained before arrival, and the passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond entry.

  • Local third-party insurance at the border

    Foreign vehicle insurance is not recognised; buy a Djiboutian third-party policy at the border post or in Djibouti City: UK/EU green cards are not valid.

  • Carnet de Passage for own vehicle

    Bringing a foreign-plated car requires a Carnet de Passage en Douane; without it customs will demand a substantial cash deposit equal to the vehicle's value.

  • Drive on the right

    Traffic drives on the right; overtake on the left.

  • Speed limits 30/50/80 km/h

    Urban 50 km/h (school zones 30 km/h), rural 80 km/h; there are no motorways in the country.

  • BAC limit 0.5 g/L

    Blood alcohol limit is 0.5 g/L; enforcement is sporadic but penalties include fines and detention.

  • Declare cash over 1,000,000 DJF at the border

    Amounts above 1,000,000 DJF (roughly 5,300 EUR) in any currency must be declared to customs on entry and exit.

Documents

FCDO advises against travel near Eritrea/Somalia borders

Good to know

FCDO advises against all travel within 10 km of the Eritrean border and against all but essential travel to areas bordering Somalia; plan routes accordingly.

1949 IDP required alongside national licence

Required

Djibouti recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit; UK/EU drivers must carry both the IDP and their home licence.

Passport with 6 months validity plus visa

Required

Most nationalities need an e-visa obtained before arrival, and the passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond entry.

Local third-party insurance at the border

Required

Foreign vehicle insurance is not recognised; buy a Djiboutian third-party policy at the border post or in Djibouti City: UK/EU green cards are not valid.

Carnet de Passage for own vehicle

Required

Bringing a foreign-plated car requires a Carnet de Passage en Douane; without it customs will demand a substantial cash deposit equal to the vehicle's value.

Driving rules

Drive on the right

Required

Traffic drives on the right; overtake on the left.

Speed limits 30/50/80 km/h

Required

Urban 50 km/h (school zones 30 km/h), rural 80 km/h; there are no motorways in the country.

BAC limit 0.5 g/L

Required

Blood alcohol limit is 0.5 g/L; enforcement is sporadic but penalties include fines and detention.

Erratic local driving and livestock

Recommended

Expect unsignalled lane changes, unlit vehicles after dark, and camels or goats on rural roads: avoid driving outside Djibouti City at night.

Emergency number 17 (police), 18 (fire)

Good to know

Dial 17 for police and 18 for fire/ambulance; response outside Djibouti City is limited, so carry a satellite messenger for remote travel.

Tolls

No toll roads or vignette

Good to know

There is no motorway network, vignette, or electronic toll system; all roads are free to use.

Required equipment

Carry spare wheel, water and recovery kit

Recommended

Off the RN-1 Djibouti–Dikhil corridor surfaces deteriorate quickly; carry a full-size spare, jerry can of fuel, several litres of water and a tow rope.

Environment

Extreme heat May–September

Recommended

Summer temperatures regularly exceed 45 C; travel early morning, check coolant and tyres, and avoid the inland Lac Assal road in midday heat.

Flash floods in the short rainy season

Good to know

Brief but intense rains in November and March–April can wash out wadis and unpaved tracks; check conditions before heading inland.

Money

Currency Djiboutian franc, USD widely accepted

Good to know

1 EUR is roughly 190 DJF (pegged to USD at ~178 DJF/USD); US dollars are accepted at hotels and fuel stations, but rural pumps are cash-only.

Fuel around 1.50 EUR per litre

Good to know

Petrol is roughly 285 DJF/litre (about 1.50 EUR); stations are scarce outside the capital and Ali Sabieh: refuel whenever possible.

Declare cash over 1,000,000 DJF at the border

Required

Amounts above 1,000,000 DJF (roughly 5,300 EUR) in any currency must be declared to customs on entry and exit.

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Popular destinations in Djibouti

Places to add to your Djibouti road trip.

Don't get caught out

Watch out for these

Drive on the right

Required

Traffic drives on the right; overtake on the left.

Speed limits 30/50/80 km/h

Required

Urban 50 km/h (school zones 30 km/h), rural 80 km/h; there are no motorways in the country.

BAC limit 0.5 g/L

Required

Blood alcohol limit is 0.5 g/L; enforcement is sporadic but penalties include fines and detention.