Drive on the LEFT
RequiredZambia drives on the left, like the UK: natural for UK drivers but EU visitors must adjust, especially at roundabouts and rural junctions.
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Country driving guide · 2026
Driving in Zambia
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Zambia: 10 legal requirements + 5 other things worth knowing.
10
Required
2
Recommended
3
Good to know
Tick before you go
Pre-departure checklist for Zambia
10 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
Drive on the LEFT
Zambia drives on the left, like the UK: natural for UK drivers but EU visitors must adjust, especially at roundabouts and rural junctions.
1949 IDP required alongside national licence
Zambia recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP; carry it with your UK/EU photocard licence and passport at all times in the vehicle.
Passport with 6+ months validity and visa/eVisa
Most UK/EU nationals need a visa or KAZA UNIVISA (covers Zambia + Zimbabwe, USD 50); apply online via the eVisa portal before travel.
Buy local third-party motor insurance at the border
UK/EU insurance and Green Cards are NOT valid; purchase COMESA Yellow Card third-party cover at the border post (approx USD 30-60 depending on duration and vehicle).
Carbon tax, road tax and council levy at entry
Foreign-registered vehicles pay carbon emissions surtax (~ZMW 200), road toll (~USD 20) and a council levy on arrival. Keep all receipts to show at internal checkpoints.
V5C plus owner's authorisation letter if not your car
Carry the original V5C/registration document; if the vehicle isn't in your name you need a notarised letter of authorisation from the owner, or you will be refused entry.
Toll gates on main highways: cash in ZMW or USD
Zambia uses physical toll plazas on T-roads (T1/T2/T4 etc.); light vehicles pay ~ZMW 20 (~EUR 0.70) per gate, foreign-plated cars pay USD 20 per gate.
Speed limits: 100 / 100 / 50 km/h
Open road and highway 100 km/h, built-up areas 50 km/h; limits are aggressively enforced with speed cameras and traffic-police radar around Lusaka and Kitwe.
BAC limit 0.08 g/100 ml: zero tolerance in practice
Legal limit is 0.08% but police roadblocks are frequent and any detectable alcohol typically leads to arrest; do not drink and drive.
Two red warning triangles and reflective vest
Two reflective warning triangles are mandatory (placed 30 m front and rear in a breakdown); a hi-vis vest and basic first-aid kit are also expected at police checks.
Driving rules
Speed limits: 100 / 100 / 50 km/h
RequiredOpen road and highway 100 km/h, built-up areas 50 km/h; limits are aggressively enforced with speed cameras and traffic-police radar around Lusaka and Kitwe.
BAC limit 0.08 g/100 ml: zero tolerance in practice
RequiredLegal limit is 0.08% but police roadblocks are frequent and any detectable alcohol typically leads to arrest; do not drink and drive.
Avoid driving after dark
RecommendedUnlit roads, stray livestock, pedestrians and unmarked potholes make night driving genuinely dangerous: FCDO and AA both advise sticking to daylight hours.
Documents
1949 IDP required alongside national licence
RequiredZambia recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP; carry it with your UK/EU photocard licence and passport at all times in the vehicle.
Passport with 6+ months validity and visa/eVisa
RequiredMost UK/EU nationals need a visa or KAZA UNIVISA (covers Zambia + Zimbabwe, USD 50); apply online via the eVisa portal before travel.
Buy local third-party motor insurance at the border
RequiredUK/EU insurance and Green Cards are NOT valid; purchase COMESA Yellow Card third-party cover at the border post (approx USD 30-60 depending on duration and vehicle).
Carbon tax, road tax and council levy at entry
RequiredForeign-registered vehicles pay carbon emissions surtax (~ZMW 200), road toll (~USD 20) and a council levy on arrival. Keep all receipts to show at internal checkpoints.
V5C plus owner's authorisation letter if not your car
RequiredCarry the original V5C/registration document; if the vehicle isn't in your name you need a notarised letter of authorisation from the owner, or you will be refused entry.
Emergency number 999 (or 991 ambulance, 993 fire)
Good to knowPolice 999, ambulance 991, fire 993; response outside major towns is limited, so save your embassy contact and consider a medevac-capable travel insurance policy.
Tolls
Toll gates on main highways: cash in ZMW or USD
RequiredZambia uses physical toll plazas on T-roads (T1/T2/T4 etc.); light vehicles pay ~ZMW 20 (~EUR 0.70) per gate, foreign-plated cars pay USD 20 per gate.
Required equipment
Two red warning triangles and reflective vest
RequiredTwo reflective warning triangles are mandatory (placed 30 m front and rear in a breakdown); a hi-vis vest and basic first-aid kit are also expected at police checks.
Spare tyre, jack and full jerrycan of fuel
RecommendedFuel stations are sparse outside the Copperbelt and Lusaka–Livingstone corridor; carry a working spare, wheel brace and 20 L jerrycan for long-distance routes.
Environment
Rainy season Nov–Apr: flooded roads and washouts
Good to knowSecondary and gravel roads in Western, Luapula and Northern provinces regularly become impassable in the wet season; a 4x4 is strongly recommended off the tar.
Money
Currency ZMW; fuel ~EUR 1.10/L; carry USD cash
Good to knowPetrol ~ZMW 32/L (~EUR 1.10); cards work in Lusaka/Livingstone but most tolls, fuel stations and border fees prefer cash (ZMW or USD). Declare cash over USD 5,000 at the border.
Plan your Zambia road trip
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Drive on the LEFT
RequiredZambia drives on the left, like the UK: natural for UK drivers but EU visitors must adjust, especially at roundabouts and rural junctions.
Speed limits: 100 / 100 / 50 km/h
RequiredOpen road and highway 100 km/h, built-up areas 50 km/h; limits are aggressively enforced with speed cameras and traffic-police radar around Lusaka and Kitwe.
BAC limit 0.08 g/100 ml: zero tolerance in practice
RequiredLegal limit is 0.08% but police roadblocks are frequent and any detectable alcohol typically leads to arrest; do not drink and drive.