Destinations / Papua New Guinea
Driving in Papua New Guinea as a visitor
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Papua New Guinea drives on the left; an IDP is advised with your home licence, and rugged terrain means many roads need a 4x4.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Papua New Guinea expects
| Driving document | Depends on licence issuer, script and rental policy |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1949 Geneva |
| Valid for | 1 year |
| Drives on the | Left |
| Emergency number | 112 or 000 |
| Top speed limit | 75 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 | 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 PGK. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Roads | Rough, mountainous roads. |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | 0.05% alcohol limit. |
| Documents | Carry passport, IDP and home licence. |
On the road in Papua New Guinea
At the pump
Petrol and diesel are sold at attended service stations; under the 2026 government subsidy motorists paid roughly K4.39/litre for petrol and K4.44 for diesel (unsubsidised caps were near K6.24 petrol / K8.35 diesel). Fuel shortages and queues occur, so fill up when you can and carry cash.
After a crash
The national emergency number is 000 (police), though response is slow and limited outside Port Moresby; after a serious crash do not stop in unsafe areas and instead drive to the nearest police station to report, as a report is required for insurance.
Sources: travel.state.gov · travel.gc.ca · remitly.com · news.pngfacts.com
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Papua New Guinea?
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Papua New Guinea drives on the left; an IDP is advised with your home licence, and rugged terrain means many roads need a 4x4.
Which translation format is used for Papua New Guinea?
Papua New Guinea 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 Papua New Guinea ask for a translation?
Port Moresby desks request an IDP; 4x4 advised for the highlands.
How fast can Vialy prepare one for Papua New Guinea?
The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay, 30 minutes as standard and 5 with Express.
Also in Oceania
Driving on to another country on the same trip? Each page states what that destination expects.