Destinations / Gambia
Driving in Gambia as a visitor
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. The Gambia drives on the right; an IDP is recommended with your home licence for its narrow riverside roads.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Gambia 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), 116 (ambulance) |
| Top speed limit | 70 km/h open roads |
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 GMD. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Local practice | Watch for pedestrians and carts. |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | 0.05% alcohol limit. |
| Documents | Carry passport, IDP and home licence. |
On the road in Gambia
At the pump
Fuel is priced in dalasi and sold as petrol and diesel (gasoil) at attended stations, mostly clustered around the Greater Banjul area; stations are scarce upcountry so fill up before long trips, and cash is the norm as cards are rarely accepted.
After a crash
Drive on the left; for any injury, dispute or more than a trivial scratch you must call the Gambia Police Force on 117 and obtain a police report before moving the vehicles, which insurers and rental firms require.
Sources: travel.gc.ca · smartraveller.gov.au · qeeq.com · internationaldriversassociation.com
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Gambia?
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. The Gambia drives on the right; an IDP is recommended with your home licence for its narrow riverside roads.
Which translation format is used for Gambia?
Gambia 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 Gambia ask for a translation?
Banjul desks request an IDP for non-English licences.
How fast can Vialy prepare one for Gambia?
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.