Destinations / Benin
Driving in Benin as a visitor
Usually yes. Benin expects visiting drivers to carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence, and rental desks ask for one. It matters most when your licence is not printed in the Latin alphabet.
Standard delivery included. Need it sooner? Express lands by for $25 more.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Benin expects
| Permit needed | Expected |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1949 Geneva |
| Valid for | 1 year |
| Drives on the | Right |
| Emergency number | 117 (police), 118 (fire/ambulance) |
| Top speed limit | 90 km/h highways |
What the rental desk will ask you for
| Your own licence | The original card. A photo of it, or a photocopy, gets turned away. |
|---|---|
| Licence translation | Expected. Hand it over with the licence, never instead of it. |
| Booklet format they know | 1949 Geneva |
| Minimum age | 18. Under 25 usually pays a young-driver surcharge. |
| Deposit | A credit card in the driver's name. The hold is taken in XOF. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Local practice | Watch for swarms of motorbike taxis. |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | 0.05% alcohol limit. |
| Documents | Carry passport, IDP and home licence. |
On the road in Benin
At the pump
Petrol (essence) and diesel (gasoil) are sold at branded stations in cities, but much fuel in the interior is sold informally in glass bottles smuggled from Nigeria ('kpayo'), which can damage engines. Keep the tank topped up, carry CFA-franc cash, and do not rely on card acceptance outside major Cotonou stations.
After a crash
After a crash you must stop, not move the vehicles, and call the police/gendarmerie (commonly 117 for police, 118 for fire/rescue) and obtain a report (constat) for any insurance or rental claim. In serious or injury cases wait for the gendarmerie; do not flee the scene as crowds can gather quickly.
Sources: countryreports.org · en.wikipedia.org · internationaldriversassociation.com · tyremap.com
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Benin?
Usually yes. Benin expects visiting drivers to carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence, and rental desks ask for one. It matters most when your licence is not printed in the Latin alphabet.
Which IDP format does Benin accept?
Benin recognises the 1949 Geneva format. Your permit is prepared in that format.
Will a rental desk in Benin ask for one?
Cotonou desks request an IDP for non-French licences.
How fast can you get one?
Express orders are emailed within 5 minutes. The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay and the order is refundable for 30 days.