1949 IDP required alongside national licence
RequiredTanzania recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP; UK/EU drivers must carry it plus their home licence and passport. Valid for stays up to 6 months before a local permit is needed.
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Country driving guide · 2026
Driving in Tanzania
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Tanzania: 7 legal requirements + 8 other things worth knowing.
7
Required
4
Recommended
4
Good to know
Tick before you go
Pre-departure checklist for Tanzania
7 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
1949 IDP required alongside national licence
Tanzania recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP; UK/EU drivers must carry it plus their home licence and passport. Valid for stays up to 6 months before a local permit is needed.
Third-party insurance mandatory
A COMESA Yellow Card or locally-bought third-party policy is compulsory; foreign policies are not accepted at the border. Yellow Card costs roughly USD 30-50 depending on duration.
Carnet de Passage for own vehicle
Bringing your own car requires a Carnet de Passage en Douane plus V5C/registration document showing ownership. Without it the vehicle will be impounded at the border.
Drive on the LEFT
Tanzania drives on the left, same as the UK. Most rental cars are right-hand drive.
Speed limits 80 / 50 / 50 km/h
Open roads 80 km/h, built-up areas 50 km/h, and 50 km/h through villages. There are no motorways; expect speed bumps approaching every town.
Zero-tolerance BAC of 0.08 g/L
Blood alcohol limit is 0.08 g/L, enforced by random police checks. Penalties include heavy fines and possible detention.
Warning triangle and reflective vest
Two red reflective warning triangles and a hi-vis vest are required in the vehicle. Rental cars normally include them; check before leaving the lot.
Documents
Third-party insurance mandatory
RequiredA COMESA Yellow Card or locally-bought third-party policy is compulsory; foreign policies are not accepted at the border. Yellow Card costs roughly USD 30-50 depending on duration.
Carnet de Passage for own vehicle
RequiredBringing your own car requires a Carnet de Passage en Douane plus V5C/registration document showing ownership. Without it the vehicle will be impounded at the border.
Driving rules
Drive on the LEFT
RequiredTanzania drives on the left, same as the UK. Most rental cars are right-hand drive.
Speed limits 80 / 50 / 50 km/h
RequiredOpen roads 80 km/h, built-up areas 50 km/h, and 50 km/h through villages. There are no motorways; expect speed bumps approaching every town.
Zero-tolerance BAC of 0.08 g/L
RequiredBlood alcohol limit is 0.08 g/L, enforced by random police checks. Penalties include heavy fines and possible detention.
Avoid driving after dark
RecommendedFCDO and AA strongly advise against night driving due to unlit roads, livestock, broken-down lorries without reflectors, and elevated robbery risk. Plan to arrive by sunset (around 18:30).
Emergency number 112 (or 999)
Good to knowDial 112 for police, ambulance or fire; 999 also works. Response times outside major cities are very slow: carry a charged phone and ideally a second SIM.
Police roadblocks expect paperwork on demand
RecommendedRoadblocks are frequent; have licence, IDP, insurance and passport ready. Stay polite, never offer bribes, and ask for a written ticket if fined.
Required equipment
Warning triangle and reflective vest
RequiredTwo red reflective warning triangles and a hi-vis vest are required in the vehicle. Rental cars normally include them; check before leaving the lot.
Spare tyre, jack and basic tools
RecommendedPunctures are common on gravel and pothole-strewn tarmac; carry a full-size spare, jack, wheel brace and a torch. A jerry can of fuel is wise on remote routes.
Tolls
No vignette; limited cash tolls
Good to knowTanzania has no motorway sticker system. A few new bypasses (e.g. Dar-Chalinze expressway sections) charge small cash tolls of TZS 1,000-5,000 (EUR 0.35-2).
Environment
Rainy seasons flood unpaved roads
RecommendedLong rains (March-May) and short rains (Nov-Dec) wash out gravel roads and make 4x4 essential for game parks and rural routes. Check route conditions locally before setting out.
Money
Cash-only fuel at ~EUR 0.95/L
Good to knowPetrol costs around TZS 2,950/litre (about EUR 1.00); diesel slightly less. Most stations outside Dar es Salaam and Arusha are cash-only in Tanzanian Shillings; USD sometimes accepted at a poor rate.
Cash declaration limit USD 10,000
Good to knowAmounts above USD 10,000 (or equivalent) must be declared at the border. Tipping fuel attendants TZS 500-1,000 is customary as they pump for you.
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Drive on the LEFT
RequiredTanzania drives on the left, same as the UK. Most rental cars are right-hand drive.
Speed limits 80 / 50 / 50 km/h
RequiredOpen roads 80 km/h, built-up areas 50 km/h, and 50 km/h through villages. There are no motorways; expect speed bumps approaching every town.
Zero-tolerance BAC of 0.08 g/L
RequiredBlood alcohol limit is 0.08 g/L, enforced by random police checks. Penalties include heavy fines and possible detention.