FCDO advises against all but essential travel to border areas
Good to knowUK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to within 1 km of the Indonesia border; driving infrastructure is very limited and self-drive tourism is rare.
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Country driving guide · 2026
Driving in Timor-Leste
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Timor-Leste: 6 legal requirements + 10 other things worth knowing.
6
Required
5
Recommended
5
Good to know
Tick before you go
Pre-departure checklist for Timor-Leste
6 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
Carry a 1949 Geneva IDP plus your UK/EU licence
Timor-Leste recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP, which must be carried alongside your original national driving licence at all times.
Passport with visa on arrival
UK and EU visitors get a 30-day visa on arrival at Dili airport for USD 30, plus a USD 10 application fee; passport must be valid for 6 months.
Local third-party insurance is compulsory
Green Card is not valid; rental vehicles include basic local insurance, and bringing your own vehicle requires purchasing local third-party cover on arrival.
Drive on the LEFT
Timor-Leste drives on the left-hand side of the road, the same as the UK: convenient for British drivers but the opposite of most EU visitors.
Speed limits: 60 urban / 80 rural
Urban speed limit is 60 km/h and rural roads 80 km/h; there are no motorways in Timor-Leste.
BAC alcohol limit 0.05 g/100ml
Drink-drive limit is 0.05% blood alcohol; enforcement is inconsistent but penalties for accidents involving alcohol are severe.
Documents
Carry a 1949 Geneva IDP plus your UK/EU licence
RequiredTimor-Leste recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP, which must be carried alongside your original national driving licence at all times.
Passport with visa on arrival
RequiredUK and EU visitors get a 30-day visa on arrival at Dili airport for USD 30, plus a USD 10 application fee; passport must be valid for 6 months.
Local third-party insurance is compulsory
RequiredGreen Card is not valid; rental vehicles include basic local insurance, and bringing your own vehicle requires purchasing local third-party cover on arrival.
Driving rules
Drive on the LEFT
RequiredTimor-Leste drives on the left-hand side of the road, the same as the UK: convenient for British drivers but the opposite of most EU visitors.
Speed limits: 60 urban / 80 rural
RequiredUrban speed limit is 60 km/h and rural roads 80 km/h; there are no motorways in Timor-Leste.
BAC alcohol limit 0.05 g/100ml
RequiredDrink-drive limit is 0.05% blood alcohol; enforcement is inconsistent but penalties for accidents involving alcohol are severe.
4x4 essential outside Dili
RecommendedMost roads outside the capital are unpaved, potholed or landslide-prone; a high-clearance 4x4 is strongly recommended and required by most rental firms.
Emergency number 112
Good to knowDial 112 for police, ambulance or fire; response times outside Dili are very slow and medical evacuation to Darwin or Singapore may be required for serious incidents.
Vignette
No vignette, no tolls, no LEZ
Good to knowTimor-Leste has no motorway sticker system, no toll roads, and no low-emission zones in any city.
Environment
Avoid driving during the wet season (Dec-Apr)
RecommendedHeavy rains cause frequent landslides, flooded river crossings and road washouts; many rural roads become impassable and journey times double.
Do not drive after dark outside Dili
RecommendedStreet lighting is virtually absent, livestock and pedestrians on roads are common, and fuel stations close early; complete journeys before dusk.
Money
Currency is US Dollar (USD)
Good to knowTimor-Leste uses USD as its official currency; bring small denomination notes as change is scarce and ATMs are limited to Dili and a few towns.
Fuel approximately USD 1.20/litre (around EUR 1.10)
Good to knowPetrol costs roughly USD 1.20 per litre at Dili stations; rural fuel is sold from jerrycans at a premium and supply can be intermittent.
Cash-only economy outside Dili
RecommendedCard payments are accepted only at major Dili hotels and supermarkets; carry sufficient USD cash for fuel, food and emergencies when leaving the capital.
Required equipment
Carry a basic safety kit
RecommendedWarning triangle, first-aid kit, torch and spare tyre are not strictly mandated by law but are essential given remote roads and lack of roadside assistance.
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Drive on the LEFT
RequiredTimor-Leste drives on the left-hand side of the road, the same as the UK: convenient for British drivers but the opposite of most EU visitors.
Speed limits: 60 urban / 80 rural
RequiredUrban speed limit is 60 km/h and rural roads 80 km/h; there are no motorways in Timor-Leste.
BAC alcohol limit 0.05 g/100ml
RequiredDrink-drive limit is 0.05% blood alcohol; enforcement is inconsistent but penalties for accidents involving alcohol are severe.