Destinations / Uganda
Driving in Uganda as a visitor
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Uganda drives on the left; an IDP is advised if your licence is not in English, and boda-boda motorbikes weave through Kampala.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Uganda 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 | 999 or 112 |
| Top speed limit | 100 km/h on the Entebbe expressway |
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 UGX. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Local practice | Watch for boda-boda motorbikes. |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | 0.08% alcohol limit. |
| Documents | Carry passport, IDP and home licence. |
On the road in Uganda
At the pump
Stations are attendant-served and sell petrol and diesel, with pump prices around 5,300-5,400 Ugandan shillings per litre (roughly USD 1.40); fill up in towns before remote travel as rural stations can run dry, and many take cash or mobile money rather than foreign cards.
After a crash
Call police on 999 (or 112 from mobile); for injuries or significant damage a police report is required, do not move vehicles, and avoid disputes at the scene. Notify your rental company; crowds can gather quickly, so move to a police station if you feel unsafe.
Sources: ugandacarrentalservices.com · internationaldrivingpermit.org · globalpetrolprices.com · monitor.co.ug
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Uganda?
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Uganda drives on the left; an IDP is advised if your licence is not in English, and boda-boda motorbikes weave through Kampala.
Which translation format is used for Uganda?
Uganda 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 Uganda ask for a translation?
Kampala desks request an IDP for non-English licences.
How fast can Vialy prepare one for Uganda?
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.