Destinations / Ethiopia
Driving in Ethiopia as a visitor
Usually yes. Ethiopia 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 Ethiopia expects
| Permit needed | Expected |
|---|---|
| Convention format | Local rules |
| Valid for | Not recognised |
| Drives on the | Right |
| Emergency number | 991 (police), 907 (ambulance) |
| Top speed limit | 100 km/h on the Addis–Adama expressway |
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 | Local rules |
| 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 ETB. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| In the car | Watch for pedestrians and livestock. |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Zero alcohol tolerance. |
| Documents | Carry passport, IDP and home licence. |
On the road in Ethiopia
At the pump
Petrol (benzene) and diesel (naphtha) are government-priced and attended-service; as of 2026 petrol is around 142 birr and diesel about 163 birr per litre, cash expected, and rural stations can run dry so fill up in towns.
After a crash
Stop immediately, never leave the scene, and call police; a police report is mandatory, and because Ethiopia has one of the world's highest road-death rates, crowds can gather quickly, so prioritise safety.
Sources: internationaldriversassociation.com · birrmetrics.com · addisfortune.news · shega.co
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Ethiopia?
Usually yes. Ethiopia 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 Ethiopia accept?
Ethiopia recognises the Local rules format. Your permit is prepared in that format.
Will a rental desk in Ethiopia ask for one?
Self-drive desks ask for an IDP; chauffeured hire is common.
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.