Destinations / Benin
Driving in Benin as a visitor
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Benin drives on the right; an IDP is recommended with your national licence, and motorbike taxis (zémidjans) dominate the roads.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Benin expects
| Driving document | Depends on licence issuer, script and rental policy |
|---|---|
| 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 | Check the desk policy for your issuing country and licence script. A translation accompanies the licence and never replaces an official permit. |
| 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?
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Benin drives on the right; an IDP is recommended with your national licence, and motorbike taxis (zémidjans) dominate the roads.
Which translation format is used for Benin?
Benin uses the 1949 Geneva convention format. A Vialy translation is prepared in that format but is not a government-issued permit.
Will a rental desk in Benin ask for a translation?
Cotonou desks request an IDP for non-French licences.
How fast can Vialy prepare one for Benin?
The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay, 30 minutes as standard and 5 with Express.
Also in Africa
Driving on to another country on the same trip? Each page states what that destination expects.