Destinations / Ethiopia
Driving in Ethiopia as a visitor
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Ethiopia drives on the right; an IDP is recommended with your home licence, though Addis Ababa traffic and rural roads lead many to hire drivers.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Ethiopia expects
| Driving document | Depends on licence issuer, script and rental policy |
|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | 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?
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Ethiopia drives on the right; an IDP is recommended with your home licence, though Addis Ababa traffic and rural roads lead many to hire drivers.
Which translation format is used for Ethiopia?
Ethiopia uses the Local rules convention format. A Vialy translation is prepared in that format but is not a government-issued permit.
Will a rental desk in Ethiopia ask for a translation?
Self-drive desks ask for an IDP; chauffeured hire is common.
How fast can Vialy prepare one for Ethiopia?
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.