Destinations / Madagascar
Driving in Madagascar as a visitor
Usually yes. Madagascar 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 Madagascar expects
| Permit needed | Expected |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1949 Geneva |
| Valid for | 1 year |
| Drives on the | Right |
| Emergency number | 117 (police), 124 (ambulance) |
| Top speed limit | 90 km/h routes nationales |
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 MGA. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Roads | Poor roads between regions. |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | 0.08% alcohol limit. |
| Documents | Carry passport, IDP and home licence. |
On the road in Madagascar
At the pump
Petrol (essence) and diesel (gasoil) are sold; stations are attended. Fill up whenever you pass a station as fuel is scarce outside towns; cash is expected, card acceptance is unreliable, and prices run roughly the equivalent of US$1.20-1.50 per litre.
After a crash
After an accident call police on 117 (or 119) and wait for an official report; do not move vehicles if there are injuries. Roadside assistance is essentially absent outside Antananarivo, so carry water and a spare.
Sources: travel.state.gov · lca.logcluster.org · roadtripafrica.com · en.wikipedia.org
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Madagascar?
Usually yes. Madagascar 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 Madagascar accept?
Madagascar recognises the 1949 Geneva format. Your permit is prepared in that format.
Will a rental desk in Madagascar ask for one?
Antananarivo desks request an IDP; many rentals come with a driver.
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.