Destinations / Vanuatu
Driving in Vanuatu as a visitor
Often optional, depending on your licence and rental company. Vanuatu drives on the right and lets visitors use a valid foreign licence for short stays; an IDP is advised for non-Latin scripts.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Vanuatu expects
| Driving document | Depends on licence issuer, script and rental policy |
|---|---|
| Convention format | Local rules |
| Valid for | Not recognised |
| Drives on the | Right |
| Emergency number | 111 (police), 112 (ambulance) |
| 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 | Local rules |
| 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 VUV. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Roads | Unsealed roads outside Port Vila. |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | 0.05% alcohol limit. |
| Animals | Watch for pedestrians and animals. |
On the road in Vanuatu
At the pump
Stations sell unleaded petrol and diesel and are concentrated in Port Vila and Luganville, becoming sparse with limited hours elsewhere, so top up before leaving town. Major-town stations take cards but carry cash as backup.
After a crash
Report any accident to the local police within 24 hours (emergency 112) and file damage with your insurer; do not move vehicles after a serious or injury crash until police attend. Keep the police report for your rental claim.
Sources: police.gov.vu · vanuatu.travel · thingstodoinvanuatu.com · internationaldriversassociation.com
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Vanuatu?
Often optional, depending on your licence and rental company. Vanuatu drives on the right and lets visitors use a valid foreign licence for short stays; an IDP is advised for non-Latin scripts.
Which translation format is used for Vanuatu?
Vanuatu uses the Local rules convention format. A Vialy translation is prepared in that format but is not a government-issued permit.
Will a rental desk in Vanuatu ask for a translation?
Port Vila desks accept many licences; an IDP helps non-Latin scripts.
How fast can Vialy prepare one for Vanuatu?
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.