1949 IDP with national licence
RequiredRwanda recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit; carry it alongside your UK/EU photocard licence. Available from the UK Post Office for GBP 5.50.
FCDO Rwanda advice← All country guides
Country driving guide · 2026
Driving in Rwanda
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Rwanda: 8 legal requirements + 7 other things worth knowing.
8
Required
4
Recommended
3
Good to know
Tick before you go
Pre-departure checklist for Rwanda
8 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
1949 IDP with national licence
Rwanda recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit; carry it alongside your UK/EU photocard licence. Available from the UK Post Office for GBP 5.50.
Source: FCDO Rwanda advice →Passport with 6 months validity
Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from entry. UK visitors get a 30-day visa on arrival or via the Irembo portal.
Third-party motor insurance
Local third-party insurance is compulsory; foreign policies are not recognised. Buy a COMESA Yellow Card or a Rwandan policy at the border (approx RWF 15,000-30,000 / EUR 10-20 for short stay).
Drive on the right
Rwanda drives on the right: opposite to the UK. Overtake on the left.
Speed limits 60/40/20 km/h
Open road 60 km/h, urban areas 40 km/h, and 20 km/h near schools and markets. There are no motorways. Speed cameras are widespread on the Kigali-Musanze and Kigali-Huye corridors.
Zero-tolerance BAC 0.08 g/L
Legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08 g/L but police run frequent breathalyser checkpoints, especially Friday/Saturday nights in Kigali. Refusing the test is an offence.
Seatbelts and hands-free only
Seatbelts compulsory front and rear; handheld phone use while driving carries an on-the-spot fine of RWF 25,000 (approx EUR 18).
Warning triangle, first aid, extinguisher
Vehicles must carry a reflective warning triangle, a first-aid kit, a working fire extinguisher and a spare wheel. Rental cars include these. Check before leaving the depot.
Documents
Passport with 6 months validity
RequiredPassport must be valid for at least 6 months from entry. UK visitors get a 30-day visa on arrival or via the Irembo portal.
Third-party motor insurance
RequiredLocal third-party insurance is compulsory; foreign policies are not recognised. Buy a COMESA Yellow Card or a Rwandan policy at the border (approx RWF 15,000-30,000 / EUR 10-20 for short stay).
V5C and ownership proof for own vehicle
RecommendedBring the V5C log book or notarised ownership letter plus a Carnet de Passages if importing temporarily; without a carnet you face a refundable customs deposit at the border.
Driving rules
Drive on the right
RequiredRwanda drives on the right: opposite to the UK. Overtake on the left.
Speed limits 60/40/20 km/h
RequiredOpen road 60 km/h, urban areas 40 km/h, and 20 km/h near schools and markets. There are no motorways. Speed cameras are widespread on the Kigali-Musanze and Kigali-Huye corridors.
Zero-tolerance BAC 0.08 g/L
RequiredLegal blood alcohol limit is 0.08 g/L but police run frequent breathalyser checkpoints, especially Friday/Saturday nights in Kigali. Refusing the test is an offence.
Seatbelts and hands-free only
RequiredSeatbelts compulsory front and rear; handheld phone use while driving carries an on-the-spot fine of RWF 25,000 (approx EUR 18).
Monthly Umuganda road closures
RecommendedOn the last Saturday of every month from 08:00-11:00, community service (Umuganda) shuts most roads nationwide. Plan to be off the road or at your destination.
Plastic-bag ban at the border
RecommendedSingle-use plastic bags are illegal in Rwanda: customs will confiscate them on entry. Repack toiletries and shopping into paper or reusable bags before crossing.
Emergency number 112
Good to knowDial 112 for police, ambulance or fire. Rwanda National Police response in Kigali is generally fast and English-speaking.
Required equipment
Warning triangle, first aid, extinguisher
RequiredVehicles must carry a reflective warning triangle, a first-aid kit, a working fire extinguisher and a spare wheel. Rental cars include these. Check before leaving the depot.
Vignette
No vignette or motorway tolls
Good to knowRwanda has no motorway network, no vignette and no road tolls. Roads are funded from fuel duty; you simply drive.
Environment
Long rains March-May
RecommendedHeavy rains March-May and Oct-Nov cause landslides on mountain roads around Musanze, Nyungwe and the Congo-Nile Trail. Allow extra time and avoid night driving in the hills.
Money
Currency RWF, fuel approx EUR 1.10/L
Good to knowCurrency is the Rwandan franc (RWF); petrol costs around RWF 1,550/L (EUR 1.10). Cash declaration threshold at the border is USD 10,000. Cards accepted at Kigali fuel stations; carry cash upcountry.
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Drive on the right
RequiredRwanda drives on the right: opposite to the UK. Overtake on the left.
Speed limits 60/40/20 km/h
RequiredOpen road 60 km/h, urban areas 40 km/h, and 20 km/h near schools and markets. There are no motorways. Speed cameras are widespread on the Kigali-Musanze and Kigali-Huye corridors.
Zero-tolerance BAC 0.08 g/L
RequiredLegal blood alcohol limit is 0.08 g/L but police run frequent breathalyser checkpoints, especially Friday/Saturday nights in Kigali. Refusing the test is an offence.
Seatbelts and hands-free only
RequiredSeatbelts compulsory front and rear; handheld phone use while driving carries an on-the-spot fine of RWF 25,000 (approx EUR 18).