FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of Gabon
Good to knowFollowing the August 2023 coup, check FCDO advice before driving: overland border crossings can close at short notice and self-drive tourism is rare.
FCDO Gabon advice← All country guides
Country driving guide · 2026
Driving in Gabon
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Gabon: 9 legal requirements + 6 other things worth knowing.
9
Required
2
Recommended
4
Good to know
Tick before you go
Pre-departure checklist for Gabon
9 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
1949 International Driving Permit required
Gabon recognises the 1949 IDP, which must accompany your UK or EU photocard licence; obtain from the Post Office for GBP 5.50 before departure.
Source: Get a UK IDP →Passport, visa and yellow fever certificate
UK and most EU nationals need a visa obtained in advance, plus a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate which is checked at land borders and Libreville airport.
Carnet de Passage for own vehicle
Bringing your own car overland requires a Carnet de Passage en Douane issued by the RAC or equivalent; without it the vehicle will be refused entry or impounded.
Source: RAC Carnet info →Local third-party insurance (CEMAC Carte Rose)
UK and EU green cards are not valid; buy the CEMAC Carte Rose Inter-Africaine at the border or in Libreville, roughly XAF 40,000–80,000 (EUR 60–120) for short stays.
Drive on the right
Traffic drives on the right; overtaking on the left. Right-hand-drive UK cars are legal but discouraged due to poor sightlines on narrow rural roads.
Speed limits 90 / 70 / 40 km/h
There are no motorways; limit is 90 km/h on open paved roads, 70 km/h on unpaved roads, and 40 km/h in built-up areas unless signed otherwise.
Blood alcohol limit 0.8 g/L
BAC limit is 0.8 g/L: higher than the UK 0.8 and most EU 0.5, but enforcement at police checkpoints is unpredictable so do not drink and drive.
Warning triangle and reflective vest
Carry a red warning triangle and a hi-vis vest in the cabin (not the boot); also recommended are a spare tyre, jack, first aid kit and fire extinguisher for checkpoint inspections.
Cash declaration over XAF 1,000,000
Declare any cash equivalent to XAF 1,000,000 (around EUR 1,525) or more at the border; undeclared sums can be confiscated.
Documents
1949 International Driving Permit required
RequiredGabon recognises the 1949 IDP, which must accompany your UK or EU photocard licence; obtain from the Post Office for GBP 5.50 before departure.
Get a UK IDPPassport, visa and yellow fever certificate
RequiredUK and most EU nationals need a visa obtained in advance, plus a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate which is checked at land borders and Libreville airport.
Carnet de Passage for own vehicle
RequiredBringing your own car overland requires a Carnet de Passage en Douane issued by the RAC or equivalent; without it the vehicle will be refused entry or impounded.
RAC Carnet infoLocal third-party insurance (CEMAC Carte Rose)
RequiredUK and EU green cards are not valid; buy the CEMAC Carte Rose Inter-Africaine at the border or in Libreville, roughly XAF 40,000–80,000 (EUR 60–120) for short stays.
Driving rules
Drive on the right
RequiredTraffic drives on the right; overtaking on the left. Right-hand-drive UK cars are legal but discouraged due to poor sightlines on narrow rural roads.
Speed limits 90 / 70 / 40 km/h
RequiredThere are no motorways; limit is 90 km/h on open paved roads, 70 km/h on unpaved roads, and 40 km/h in built-up areas unless signed otherwise.
Blood alcohol limit 0.8 g/L
RequiredBAC limit is 0.8 g/L: higher than the UK 0.8 and most EU 0.5, but enforcement at police checkpoints is unpredictable so do not drink and drive.
Frequent police and gendarmerie checkpoints
RecommendedExpect multiple roadblocks on every intercity journey. Keep passport, IDP, insurance and vehicle papers accessible and avoid driving after dark due to unlit roads and wildlife.
Emergency numbers 1730 police / 1300 ambulance
Good to knowDial 1730 for police, 18 for fire and 1300 for ambulance; response outside Libreville is very limited so carry a satellite phone for remote travel.
Required equipment
Warning triangle and reflective vest
RequiredCarry a red warning triangle and a hi-vis vest in the cabin (not the boot); also recommended are a spare tyre, jack, first aid kit and fire extinguisher for checkpoint inspections.
Tolls
No motorway vignette or toll system
Good to knowGabon has no motorway network, vignette or electronic toll system; the main RN1 Libreville–Franceville axis is partly unpaved and toll-free.
Environment
Rainy season road closures Oct–May
RecommendedDuring the two rainy seasons (Oct–Dec and Feb–May) laterite roads outside Libreville frequently flood or wash out; a 4x4 is essential for any inland travel.
Money
Currency XAF, fuel around EUR 1.10/litre
Good to knowCurrency is the Central African CFA franc (XAF), pegged to the euro at 655.957; petrol costs roughly XAF 720/litre (EUR 1.10) and most fuel stations outside Libreville are cash-only.
Cash declaration over XAF 1,000,000
RequiredDeclare any cash equivalent to XAF 1,000,000 (around EUR 1,525) or more at the border; undeclared sums can be confiscated.
Plan your Gabon road trip
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Drive on the right
RequiredTraffic drives on the right; overtaking on the left. Right-hand-drive UK cars are legal but discouraged due to poor sightlines on narrow rural roads.
Speed limits 90 / 70 / 40 km/h
RequiredThere are no motorways; limit is 90 km/h on open paved roads, 70 km/h on unpaved roads, and 40 km/h in built-up areas unless signed otherwise.
Blood alcohol limit 0.8 g/L
RequiredBAC limit is 0.8 g/L: higher than the UK 0.8 and most EU 0.5, but enforcement at police checkpoints is unpredictable so do not drink and drive.