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Country driving guide · 2026

Driving in Gambia

Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Gambia: 9 legal requirements + 6 other things worth knowing.

9

Required

2

Recommended

4

Good to know

Tick before you go

Pre-departure checklist for Gambia

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

  • 1949 IDP required alongside UK/EU licence

    Gambia recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit; carry it with your national licence at all times.

  • Passport with 6 months validity

    Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond entry; most EU/UK nationals need a visa obtained in advance or on arrival.

  • Local third-party insurance at border

    UK/EU green card is not valid; you must buy ECOWAS Brown Card or local Gambian third-party cover at the border post, typically GMD 1,500-3,000 (EUR 20-45).

  • V5C and Carnet de Passage for own car

    Bringing your own vehicle requires the V5C logbook plus a Carnet de Passage en Douane; without the carnet you must pay a temporary import bond at customs.

  • Drive on the right

    Gambia drives on the right-hand side despite being a former British colony; overtake on the left.

  • Speed limits 100 / 80 / 50 km/h

    Open roads 100 km/h, secondary roads 80 km/h, urban areas 50 km/h; there are no motorways.

  • BAC limit 0.08 g/L

    Blood alcohol limit is 0.08 g/L (same as England); enforcement is inconsistent but penalties are severe if stopped.

  • Warning triangle and spare wheel

    A reflective warning triangle, jack and serviceable spare wheel are mandatory; hi-vis vest is strongly recommended though not strictly enforced.

  • Cash declaration over USD 10,000

    Amounts equivalent to USD 10,000 or more in cash must be declared at the border; ATMs are limited to Banjul, Serekunda and Brikama.

Documents

1949 IDP required alongside UK/EU licence

Required

Gambia recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit; carry it with your national licence at all times.

Passport with 6 months validity

Required

Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond entry; most EU/UK nationals need a visa obtained in advance or on arrival.

Local third-party insurance at border

Required

UK/EU green card is not valid; you must buy ECOWAS Brown Card or local Gambian third-party cover at the border post, typically GMD 1,500-3,000 (EUR 20-45).

V5C and Carnet de Passage for own car

Required

Bringing your own vehicle requires the V5C logbook plus a Carnet de Passage en Douane; without the carnet you must pay a temporary import bond at customs.

Driving rules

Drive on the right

Required

Gambia drives on the right-hand side despite being a former British colony; overtake on the left.

Speed limits 100 / 80 / 50 km/h

Required

Open roads 100 km/h, secondary roads 80 km/h, urban areas 50 km/h; there are no motorways.

BAC limit 0.08 g/L

Required

Blood alcohol limit is 0.08 g/L (same as England); enforcement is inconsistent but penalties are severe if stopped.

Avoid driving after dark

Recommended

FCDO and RAC advise against driving outside Banjul/Serekunda after sunset due to unlit roads, livestock, pedestrians and unmarked potholes.

Frequent police checkpoints

Good to know

Expect multiple police and gendarmerie checkpoints, especially on the south-bank road and approaching ferry crossings; have licence, IDP, passport and insurance ready.

Emergency number 117 (police) / 116 (ambulance)

Good to know

Roadside assistance is essentially non-existent outside the capital; carry water, a phone with local SIM (Africell/QCell) and the contact of your rental company.

Tolls

No motorway tolls or vignette

Good to know

There is no toll road network and no vignette/sticker requirement; the Senegambia Bridge over the Gambia River charges a small one-off toll of around GMD 35-100 per car.

Required equipment

Warning triangle and spare wheel

Required

A reflective warning triangle, jack and serviceable spare wheel are mandatory; hi-vis vest is strongly recommended though not strictly enforced.

Environment

Rainy season July-October

Recommended

Heavy rains flood unpaved roads and rural tracks; a 4x4 is strongly recommended upcountry and the Banjul-Barra ferry can be disrupted.

Money

Currency Gambian Dalasi (GMD)

Good to know

Fuel is around GMD 75-85 per litre (roughly EUR 1.00-1.15); fuel stations are cash-only outside Banjul and tipping pump attendants GMD 25-50 is customary.

Cash declaration over USD 10,000

Required

Amounts equivalent to USD 10,000 or more in cash must be declared at the border; ATMs are limited to Banjul, Serekunda and Brikama.

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Drive on the right

Required

Gambia drives on the right-hand side despite being a former British colony; overtake on the left.

Speed limits 100 / 80 / 50 km/h

Required

Open roads 100 km/h, secondary roads 80 km/h, urban areas 50 km/h; there are no motorways.

BAC limit 0.08 g/L

Required

Blood alcohol limit is 0.08 g/L (same as England); enforcement is inconsistent but penalties are severe if stopped.