1949 IDP required alongside UK/EU licence
RequiredMalawi recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP; carry it with your national licence, which must be held for at least 2 years.
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Country driving guide · 2026
Driving in Malawi
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Malawi: 8 legal requirements + 7 other things worth knowing.
8
Required
3
Recommended
4
Good to know
Tick before you go
Pre-departure checklist for Malawi
8 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
1949 IDP required alongside UK/EU licence
Malawi recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP; carry it with your national licence, which must be held for at least 2 years.
Passport with 6 months validity and visa/eVisa
UK and most EU nationals need a visa: apply via the eVisa portal at evisa.gov.mw before travel; passport must be valid 6 months beyond entry.
COMESA Yellow Card or local third-party insurance
UK/EU motor insurance is not valid; buy local third-party cover or a COMESA Yellow Card at the border (around MWK 30,000–60,000 / EUR 15–35).
Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for own vehicle
If bringing a foreign-plated car, obtain a TIP at the border along with V5C/ownership proof; a Carnet de Passage is accepted but not mandatory.
Drive on the LEFT
Malawi drives on the left like the UK: overtaking is on the right; most rental and local cars are right-hand drive.
Speed limits: 80 rural / 50 urban km/h
National open-road limit is 80 km/h, built-up areas 50 km/h; there are no motorways. Police speed traps are common on the M1.
BAC alcohol limit 0.08 g/100ml
Drink-drive limit is 0.08% BAC; police roadblocks are frequent and penalties include fines and imprisonment.
Warning triangle and reflective vest
Two red warning triangles and a hi-vis vest must be carried; required for breakdowns and at police roadblocks.
Documents
Passport with 6 months validity and visa/eVisa
RequiredUK and most EU nationals need a visa: apply via the eVisa portal at evisa.gov.mw before travel; passport must be valid 6 months beyond entry.
COMESA Yellow Card or local third-party insurance
RequiredUK/EU motor insurance is not valid; buy local third-party cover or a COMESA Yellow Card at the border (around MWK 30,000–60,000 / EUR 15–35).
Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for own vehicle
RequiredIf bringing a foreign-plated car, obtain a TIP at the border along with V5C/ownership proof; a Carnet de Passage is accepted but not mandatory.
Emergency number 997 (police) / 998 (ambulance)
Good to knowResponse times are slow: save your embassy and AA Malawi roadside number; mobile coverage drops outside main corridors.
Driving rules
Drive on the LEFT
RequiredMalawi drives on the left like the UK: overtaking is on the right; most rental and local cars are right-hand drive.
Speed limits: 80 rural / 50 urban km/h
RequiredNational open-road limit is 80 km/h, built-up areas 50 km/h; there are no motorways. Police speed traps are common on the M1.
BAC alcohol limit 0.08 g/100ml
RequiredDrink-drive limit is 0.08% BAC; police roadblocks are frequent and penalties include fines and imprisonment.
Avoid driving after dark
RecommendedFCDO and AA strongly advise against night driving: unlit pedestrians, livestock, potholes, and unmarked broken-down lorries are major hazards.
Police roadblocks: stop and be polite
RecommendedFrequent police checks expect to see licence, IDP, insurance, and triangles; remain calm, do not pay bribes: request an official receipt for any fine.
Required equipment
Warning triangle and reflective vest
RequiredTwo red warning triangles and a hi-vis vest must be carried; required for breakdowns and at police roadblocks.
Tolls
No toll roads or vignettes
Good to knowMalawi has no motorway tolls, vignettes, or electronic charging; all roads are free to use including the main M1 highway.
Environment
Rainy season Nov–Apr washouts
RecommendedDuring the wet season many rural and dirt roads flood or become impassable, especially in the Lower Shire and around Mulanje; a 4x4 is recommended off-tarmac.
Money
Currency MWK; fuel approx EUR 1.30/litre
Good to knowMalawian Kwacha (MWK) is cash-only outside Lilongwe/Blantyre. Petrol is around MWK 2,500/litre (~EUR 1.30); persistent fuel shortages mean topping up at every opportunity is wise.
Cash declaration USD 5,000 at border
Good to knowAmounts over USD 5,000 (or equivalent) must be declared on entry; ATMs accept Visa in cities but are unreliable rurally: bring USD cash as backup.
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Drive on the LEFT
RequiredMalawi drives on the left like the UK: overtaking is on the right; most rental and local cars are right-hand drive.
Speed limits: 80 rural / 50 urban km/h
RequiredNational open-road limit is 80 km/h, built-up areas 50 km/h; there are no motorways. Police speed traps are common on the M1.
BAC alcohol limit 0.08 g/100ml
RequiredDrink-drive limit is 0.08% BAC; police roadblocks are frequent and penalties include fines and imprisonment.