Destinations / Guinea
Driving in Guinea as a visitor
Usually yes. Guinea 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 Guinea expects
| Permit needed | Expected |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1949 Geneva |
| Valid for | 1 year |
| Drives on the | Right |
| Emergency number | 117 (police) |
| Top speed limit | 100 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 GNF. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Roads | Poor roads outside the capital. |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | 0.05% alcohol limit. |
| Documents | Carry passport, IDP and home licence. |
On the road in Guinea
At the pump
Fuel is sold in Guinean francs as essence (petrol) and gasoil (diesel) at attended stations; supply can be tight and prices high and volatile (roughly 10,000+ GNF per litre), so fill up in Conakry, carry cash and keep a reserve as rural stations are sparse.
After a crash
Drive on the right; call the police on 117 (or gendarmerie 118/122), do not move vehicles after an injury crash and wait for police to file a report needed for any claim; beware of people posing as officials soliciting informal payments.
Sources: internationaldrivingauthority.com · tyremap.com · driverabroad.com · internationaldriversassociation.com
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Guinea?
Usually yes. Guinea 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 Guinea accept?
Guinea recognises the 1949 Geneva format. Your permit is prepared in that format.
Will a rental desk in Guinea ask for one?
Conakry 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.