Carry a 1949 IDP with your UK/EU licence
RequiredZimbabwe recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit; carry it alongside your national licence and passport at all times.
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Country driving guide · 2026
Driving in Zimbabwe
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Zimbabwe: 10 legal requirements + 5 other things worth knowing.
10
Required
2
Recommended
3
Good to know
Tick before you go
Pre-departure checklist for Zimbabwe
10 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
Carry a 1949 IDP with your UK/EU licence
Zimbabwe recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit; carry it alongside your national licence and passport at all times.
Drive on the LEFT
Zimbabwe drives on the left-hand side of the road, same as the UK, so EU/continental drivers should take extra care at junctions and roundabouts.
Third-party insurance is compulsory
You must hold valid Zimbabwean third-party motor insurance; a UK Green Card is not valid, so buy cover at the border post (around USD 30 for a month) or via a local broker.
Carry V5C and police clearance for your own vehicle
If bringing your own car you need the original V5C/registration, a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) issued at the border, and ZIMRA may require a Carnet de Passage for non-SADC vehicles.
Two red warning triangles and reflective vest
Vehicles must carry two red reflective warning triangles (placed 50 m front and rear in a breakdown) plus a high-visibility vest; police roadblocks routinely check.
Fire extinguisher and white reflective tape
A working fire extinguisher is mandatory and the vehicle must display white reflective tape on the front bumper and red on the rear; missing items attract on-the-spot fines.
Cash tolls on major highways
ZINARA toll gates on the Harare-Bulawayo, Harare-Mutare and Beitbridge routes charge cars USD 2 per gate (about EUR 1.85); pay in cash USD, no vignette system exists.
Speed limits 120 / 100 / 60 km/h
Highways 120 km/h, rural roads 100 km/h, urban areas 60 km/h, and 40 km/h in school zones; speed traps are common near tollgates.
BAC limit 0.08 g/100ml
Blood alcohol limit is 0.08 g/100 ml (higher than UK 0.08 / EU typical 0.05), but enforcement is strict and penalties include immediate detention.
Declare cash over USD 10,000 at the border
Amounts equivalent to USD 10,000 or more must be declared on arrival; carry small-denomination USD notes as ATMs are unreliable and card payment is rare outside Harare hotels.
Documents
Third-party insurance is compulsory
RequiredYou must hold valid Zimbabwean third-party motor insurance; a UK Green Card is not valid, so buy cover at the border post (around USD 30 for a month) or via a local broker.
Carry V5C and police clearance for your own vehicle
RequiredIf bringing your own car you need the original V5C/registration, a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) issued at the border, and ZIMRA may require a Carnet de Passage for non-SADC vehicles.
Driving rules
Drive on the LEFT
RequiredZimbabwe drives on the left-hand side of the road, same as the UK, so EU/continental drivers should take extra care at junctions and roundabouts.
Speed limits 120 / 100 / 60 km/h
RequiredHighways 120 km/h, rural roads 100 km/h, urban areas 60 km/h, and 40 km/h in school zones; speed traps are common near tollgates.
BAC limit 0.08 g/100ml
RequiredBlood alcohol limit is 0.08 g/100 ml (higher than UK 0.08 / EU typical 0.05), but enforcement is strict and penalties include immediate detention.
Avoid driving after dark
RecommendedFCDO and AA strongly advise against night driving due to unlit roads, stray livestock, potholes and unmarked broken-down lorries; plan to arrive before sunset.
Expect frequent police roadblocks
RecommendedPolice and ZRP roadblocks are common; stop, be polite, present licence/IDP and insurance, and refuse to pay unofficial 'spot fines' without a written ticket (Z69J form).
Emergency number 999 or 112
Good to knowDial 999 (or 112 from mobile) for police, ambulance and fire; response outside Harare and Bulawayo can be slow, so save your embassy and insurer numbers.
Required equipment
Two red warning triangles and reflective vest
RequiredVehicles must carry two red reflective warning triangles (placed 50 m front and rear in a breakdown) plus a high-visibility vest; police roadblocks routinely check.
Fire extinguisher and white reflective tape
RequiredA working fire extinguisher is mandatory and the vehicle must display white reflective tape on the front bumper and red on the rear; missing items attract on-the-spot fines.
Tolls
Cash tolls on major highways
RequiredZINARA toll gates on the Harare-Bulawayo, Harare-Mutare and Beitbridge routes charge cars USD 2 per gate (about EUR 1.85); pay in cash USD, no vignette system exists.
Money
USD is the day-to-day currency
Good to knowFuel, tolls and most transactions are paid in US dollars (small notes essential); the local ZiG is volatile and rarely useful for visitors. Fuel is roughly USD 1.55/litre (about EUR 1.45).
Declare cash over USD 10,000 at the border
RequiredAmounts equivalent to USD 10,000 or more must be declared on arrival; carry small-denomination USD notes as ATMs are unreliable and card payment is rare outside Harare hotels.
Environment
Rainy season hazards November to March
Good to knowHeavy rains can flood low-lying bridges (drifts) on rural roads and wash out gravel surfaces; a 4x4 is recommended for national parks like Mana Pools and Gonarezhou.
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Don't get caught out
Watch out for these
Drive on the LEFT
RequiredZimbabwe drives on the left-hand side of the road, same as the UK, so EU/continental drivers should take extra care at junctions and roundabouts.
Speed limits 120 / 100 / 60 km/h
RequiredHighways 120 km/h, rural roads 100 km/h, urban areas 60 km/h, and 40 km/h in school zones; speed traps are common near tollgates.
BAC limit 0.08 g/100ml
RequiredBlood alcohol limit is 0.08 g/100 ml (higher than UK 0.08 / EU typical 0.05), but enforcement is strict and penalties include immediate detention.