Destinations / Uganda
Driving in Uganda as a visitor
Usually yes. Uganda 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 Uganda expects
| Permit needed | Expected |
|---|---|
| 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 | 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 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?
Usually yes. Uganda 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 Uganda accept?
Uganda recognises the 1949 Geneva format. Your permit is prepared in that format.
Will a rental desk in Uganda ask for one?
Kampala desks request an IDP for non-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.