Destinations / Cuba
Driving in Cuba as a visitor
Not legally, but it is worth carrying. Cuba accepts foreign licences, and a permit removes any argument at the rental counter or a roadside check.
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 Cuba expects
| Permit needed | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1949 Geneva |
| Valid for | 1 year |
| Drives on the | Right |
| Emergency number | 106 (police) |
| Top speed limit | 100 km/h Autopista Nacional |
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 | Not required by law. Worth having if your licence is not printed in Latin script. |
| Booklet format they know | 1949 Geneva |
| Minimum age | 21. Under 25 usually pays a young-driver surcharge. |
| Deposit | A credit card in the driver's name. The hold is taken in CUP. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Local practice | Watch for cyclists, carts and pedestrians on highways. |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | 0.05% alcohol limit. |
| Fuel | Fuel can be hard to find — fill up when you can. |
On the road in Cuba
At the pump
Fuel is sold as Especial (higher octane) and Regular plus diesel through state CUPET/Servi-Cupet stations, but a severe 2025-2026 shortage means long multi-hour queues, frequent dry pumps and black-market prices of several USD per litre; carry cash and fill up whenever a station has supply.
After a crash
Call police and the rental company and do NOT leave the scene or move the car until both arrive; in any injury accident you may be barred from leaving the country until the investigation concludes, so a foreign driver should never admit fault or settle informally.
Sources: cuba.com · cubasbest.com · travel.gc.ca · globalpetrolprices.com
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Cuba?
Not legally, but it is worth carrying. Cuba accepts foreign licences, and a permit removes any argument at the rental counter or a roadside check.
Which IDP format does Cuba accept?
Cuba recognises the 1949 Geneva format. Your permit is prepared in that format.
Will a rental desk in Cuba ask for one?
Cars are limited and pre-booking is essential; an IDP is recommended.
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.