Destinations / Burkina Faso
Driving in Burkina Faso as a visitor
Usually yes. Burkina Faso 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 Burkina Faso expects
| Permit needed | Expected |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1949 Geneva |
| Valid for | 1 year |
| Drives on the | Right |
| Emergency number | 17 (police), 112 from mobiles |
| 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 | Dense moped traffic in cities. |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | 0.08% alcohol limit. |
| Documents | Carry passport, IDP and home licence. |
On the road in Burkina Faso
At the pump
Petrol (essence) and diesel (gasoil) are available at branded stations in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso, where major cards are often accepted, but in rural areas stations are sparse and fuel may be sold informally in bottles. Keep the tank above half and carry CFA-franc cash.
After a crash
Stop, do not move the vehicles, and contact the police/gendarmerie (police 17, fire/rescue 18) and obtain an official report for any claim. In injury cases wait for authorities; given the wider security situation, avoid lingering at remote crash scenes after dark.
Sources: internationaltravelpermits.com · idaservice.org · tyremap.com · internationaldriversassociation.com
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Burkina Faso?
Usually yes. Burkina Faso 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 Burkina Faso accept?
Burkina Faso recognises the 1949 Geneva format. Your permit is prepared in that format.
Will a rental desk in Burkina Faso ask for one?
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.