Carry passport and full UK/EU driving licence
RequiredValid passport plus your photocard licence are required at the border; licences in English are accepted for stays up to 6 months.
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Country driving guide · 2026
Driving in Eswatini
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Eswatini: 8 legal requirements + 7 other things worth knowing.
8
Required
3
Recommended
4
Good to know
Tick before you go
Pre-departure checklist for Eswatini
8 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
Carry passport and full UK/EU driving licence
Valid passport plus your photocard licence are required at the border; licences in English are accepted for stays up to 6 months.
Vehicle registration (V5C) and owner's authority letter
If driving your own car bring the V5C; if it is not in your name carry a notarised letter of authority from the registered keeper.
Third-party motor insurance valid for Eswatini
UK/EU policies rarely cover Eswatini: arrange a Cross-Border Charge Permit (CBCP) or local third-party cover before entry; there is no Green Card system.
Pay the road toll at the border
A one-off Road Toll of E50 (about EUR 2.50) per entry is collected for non-Eswatini-registered vehicles at posts such as Ngwenya/Oshoek; cash in lilangeni or rand.
Drive on the LEFT
Traffic drives on the left as in the UK; overtake on the right and give way to the right at roundabouts.
Speed limits 120 / 80 / 60 km/h
Maximum 120 km/h on the MR3 and open highways, 80 km/h on rural roads and 60 km/h in towns unless signed otherwise.
Drink-drive limit 0.08 % BAC
Blood alcohol limit is 0.08 g/100 ml (about 0.8 g/L): higher than UK 0.08 BAC equivalence but enforced with on-the-spot fines and arrest.
Seatbelts compulsory, no handheld phones
All occupants must wear seatbelts and handheld mobile phone use while driving is banned; police roadblocks are common and check both.
Documents
1949 International Driving Permit advised
RecommendedEswatini formally recognises the 1949 IDP; bring one alongside your UK/EU licence to avoid issues at roadblocks and with car hire.
Vehicle registration (V5C) and owner's authority letter
RequiredIf driving your own car bring the V5C; if it is not in your name carry a notarised letter of authority from the registered keeper.
Third-party motor insurance valid for Eswatini
RequiredUK/EU policies rarely cover Eswatini: arrange a Cross-Border Charge Permit (CBCP) or local third-party cover before entry; there is no Green Card system.
Emergency number 999 (police) / 977 (ambulance)
Good to knowDial 999 for police and traffic incidents or 977 for ambulance; mobile coverage is good on main routes but patchy in the Lubombo highlands.
Tolls
Pay the road toll at the border
RequiredA one-off Road Toll of E50 (about EUR 2.50) per entry is collected for non-Eswatini-registered vehicles at posts such as Ngwenya/Oshoek; cash in lilangeni or rand.
Vignette
No vignette or motorway sticker system
Good to knowEswatini has no e-vignette or windscreen sticker scheme; the border road toll above is the only general road charge.
Driving rules
Drive on the LEFT
RequiredTraffic drives on the left as in the UK; overtake on the right and give way to the right at roundabouts.
Speed limits 120 / 80 / 60 km/h
RequiredMaximum 120 km/h on the MR3 and open highways, 80 km/h on rural roads and 60 km/h in towns unless signed otherwise.
Drink-drive limit 0.08 % BAC
RequiredBlood alcohol limit is 0.08 g/100 ml (about 0.8 g/L): higher than UK 0.08 BAC equivalence but enforced with on-the-spot fines and arrest.
Seatbelts compulsory, no handheld phones
RequiredAll occupants must wear seatbelts and handheld mobile phone use while driving is banned; police roadblocks are common and check both.
Required equipment
Carry a warning triangle and hi-vis vest
RecommendedA reflective triangle and high-visibility jacket are standard South African/SADC practice and expected if you break down on rural roads.
Environment
Watch for livestock and potholes, avoid night driving
RecommendedCattle, goats and pedestrians on unfenced roads plus poorly lit potholes make night driving hazardous; FCDO advises completing journeys before dusk.
Money
Currency: Lilangeni (SZL), rand accepted 1:1
Good to knowSouth African rand is accepted everywhere at par with the lilangeni; carry small notes for tolls, fuel and rural stops where cards may not work.
Fuel about EUR 0.95–1.05 per litre, cash preferred
Good to knowPetrol/diesel run roughly E19–21 per litre; pumps are attended, tip the attendant E5–10, and many forecourts outside Mbabane/Manzini take cash only.
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Drive on the LEFT
RequiredTraffic drives on the left as in the UK; overtake on the right and give way to the right at roundabouts.
Speed limits 120 / 80 / 60 km/h
RequiredMaximum 120 km/h on the MR3 and open highways, 80 km/h on rural roads and 60 km/h in towns unless signed otherwise.
Drink-drive limit 0.08 % BAC
RequiredBlood alcohol limit is 0.08 g/100 ml (about 0.8 g/L): higher than UK 0.08 BAC equivalence but enforced with on-the-spot fines and arrest.
Seatbelts compulsory, no handheld phones
RequiredAll occupants must wear seatbelts and handheld mobile phone use while driving is banned; police roadblocks are common and check both.