Destinations / Madagascar
Driving in Madagascar as a visitor
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Madagascar drives on the right; an IDP is recommended with your national licence, and long distances on rough roads favour hiring a driver.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Madagascar 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), 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 | 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 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?
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Madagascar drives on the right; an IDP is recommended with your national licence, and long distances on rough roads favour hiring a driver.
Which translation format is used for Madagascar?
Madagascar 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 Madagascar ask for a translation?
Antananarivo desks request an IDP; many rentals come with a driver.
How fast can Vialy prepare one for Madagascar?
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.