Destinations / Suriname
Driving in Suriname as a visitor
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Suriname drives on the left, a Dutch-colonial legacy; an IDP is advised if your licence is not in Dutch or English.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Suriname 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 | 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 | 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 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?
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Suriname drives on the left, a Dutch-colonial legacy; an IDP is advised if your licence is not in Dutch or English.
Which translation format is used for Suriname?
Suriname 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 Suriname ask for a translation?
Paramaribo desks request an IDP for non-Dutch/English licences.
How fast can Vialy prepare one for Suriname?
The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay, 30 minutes as standard and 5 with Express.
Also in South America
Driving on to another country on the same trip? Each page states what that destination expects.