Destinations / Suriname
Driving in Suriname as a visitor
Usually yes. Suriname 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 Suriname expects
| Permit needed | Expected |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1949 Geneva |
| Valid for | 1 year |
| Drives on the | Left |
| Emergency number | 115 (police) |
| Top speed limit | 80 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 | 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 SRD. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Roads | Unpaved roads in the interior. |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | 0.05% alcohol limit. |
| Documents | Carry passport, IDP and home licence. |
On the road in Suriname
At the pump
Stations sell petrol (benzine) and diesel; petrol runs roughly SRD 19-20 per litre and diesel around SRD 45 per litre. Attendant service is common, cash (SRD) is safest, and stations are scarce outside Paramaribo and the coastal belt so fill up before heading into the interior.
After a crash
Stop, do not move the vehicles if anyone is hurt, and call the police; the standard emergency line is 115 for police. Wait for officers and obtain their report for your insurer and the rental company.
Sources: countryreports.org · tyremap.com · globalpetrolprices.com · autoeurope.co.uk
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Suriname?
Usually yes. Suriname 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 Suriname accept?
Suriname recognises the 1949 Geneva format. Your permit is prepared in that format.
Will a rental desk in Suriname ask for one?
Paramaribo desks request an IDP for non-Dutch/English 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.