Passport with 6 months validity
RequiredUK and EU passports must be valid for at least six months from date of entry; tourist stay up to 90 days under the CA-4 agreement covering Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua.
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Country driving guide · 2026
Driving in Guatemala
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Guatemala: 7 legal requirements + 9 other things worth knowing.
7
Required
4
Recommended
5
Good to know
Tick before you go
Pre-departure checklist for Guatemala
7 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
Passport with 6 months validity
UK and EU passports must be valid for at least six months from date of entry; tourist stay up to 90 days under the CA-4 agreement covering Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua.
1949 International Driving Permit
Guatemala recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP, which must be carried alongside your UK or EU photocard licence; valid for driving up to 30 days, after which a local licence is needed.
Local third-party insurance
UK/EU motor insurance and the Green Card are not valid; you must buy Guatemalan liability cover (seguro obligatorio) at the border or from a local insurer before driving.
Drive on the right
Traffic drives on the right and overtakes on the left; right turn on red is not permitted unless a sign explicitly allows it.
Speed limits in km/h
Motorway (autopista) 100 km/h, rural roads 80 km/h, urban areas 50 km/h; limits are often lower and poorly signed, so follow posted signs.
Blood alcohol limit 0.08 g/L
The legal BAC limit is 0.08 g/L (0.8 g/L breath-equivalent), higher than the UK and most EU countries, but random police checkpoints are common and penalties are severe.
Seatbelts and no handheld phones
Front seatbelts are compulsory, handheld mobile use while driving is prohibited, and motorcyclists plus passengers must wear helmets with the licence plate number displayed on them.
Documents
1949 International Driving Permit
RequiredGuatemala recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP, which must be carried alongside your UK or EU photocard licence; valid for driving up to 30 days, after which a local licence is needed.
Local third-party insurance
RequiredUK/EU motor insurance and the Green Card are not valid; you must buy Guatemalan liability cover (seguro obligatorio) at the border or from a local insurer before driving.
V5C and temporary vehicle import permit
RecommendedBringing your own car requires the V5C plus a Permiso de Importacion Temporal issued by SAT customs at the border, typically valid 90 days and matching your tourist stay.
Emergency number 110 / 1500
Good to knowDial 110 for police, 122/123 for fire and ambulance, and 1500 for PROVIAL highway assistance on major roads; response times outside Guatemala City can be very slow.
Driving rules
Drive on the right
RequiredTraffic drives on the right and overtakes on the left; right turn on red is not permitted unless a sign explicitly allows it.
Speed limits in km/h
RequiredMotorway (autopista) 100 km/h, rural roads 80 km/h, urban areas 50 km/h; limits are often lower and poorly signed, so follow posted signs.
Blood alcohol limit 0.08 g/L
RequiredThe legal BAC limit is 0.08 g/L (0.8 g/L breath-equivalent), higher than the UK and most EU countries, but random police checkpoints are common and penalties are severe.
Seatbelts and no handheld phones
RequiredFront seatbelts are compulsory, handheld mobile use while driving is prohibited, and motorcyclists plus passengers must wear helmets with the licence plate number displayed on them.
Tolls
Limited toll roads, cash booths
Good to knowOnly a handful of roads are tolled (notably the Palin-Escuintla autopista and the Atitlan bypass); expect roughly Q10-25 (~EUR 1-3) per booth, paid in cash quetzales at manned plazas. No vignette system exists.
Required equipment
Warning triangle and spare tyre
RecommendedA reflective warning triangle, spare tyre, jack and basic tools are expected; while not always strictly enforced for tourists, police can fine you for missing safety gear at checkpoints.
Environment
Avoid driving after dark
RecommendedFCDO and most rental firms strongly advise against driving outside cities after sunset due to unlit roads, livestock, landslides in rainy season (May-October) and a higher robbery risk on rural highways.
Mountain and rainy-season hazards
Good to knowVolcanic and mountain roads (CA-1, RN-14 to Antigua, routes near Lake Atitlan) are steep, narrow and prone to landslides and washouts during the May-October rainy season; 4x4 recommended off the main Pan-American highway.
Money
Currency and fuel prices
Good to knowCurrency is the Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ, Q); petrol (gasolina super) is around Q34-38 per litre, roughly EUR 4.00-4.50 per litre as of 2026, paid in cash or card at attended stations (no self-service).
Cash for tolls, fuel tips and checkpoints
RecommendedCarry small-denomination quetzales; fuel pump attendants expect a Q2-5 tip, many rural fuel stations and all toll booths are cash-only, and ATMs are scarce outside cities.
USD 10,000 cash declaration
Good to knowAmounts of cash or equivalent over USD 10,000 (around EUR 9,200) must be declared to customs on entry and exit; failure to declare can result in confiscation.
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Don't get caught out
Watch out for these
Drive on the right
RequiredTraffic drives on the right and overtakes on the left; right turn on red is not permitted unless a sign explicitly allows it.
Speed limits in km/h
RequiredMotorway (autopista) 100 km/h, rural roads 80 km/h, urban areas 50 km/h; limits are often lower and poorly signed, so follow posted signs.
Blood alcohol limit 0.08 g/L
RequiredThe legal BAC limit is 0.08 g/L (0.8 g/L breath-equivalent), higher than the UK and most EU countries, but random police checkpoints are common and penalties are severe.
Seatbelts and no handheld phones
RequiredFront seatbelts are compulsory, handheld mobile use while driving is prohibited, and motorcyclists plus passengers must wear helmets with the licence plate number displayed on them.