Presence of the valid  International driving permit is the main driving license requirement from a foreign visitor in Burundi. Visitors who have a full United Kingdom driver license may drive in Burundi for the first six months after arrival. After that term they are required to obtain a Burundi driving permit.
Registration papers and Third-party insurance cover are documentation for entry of foreign registered vehicle to Burundi.

The main road traffic rules:

  • In Burundi, traffic drives on the right side of the road.
  • The legal blood alcohol level is 0.1%.
  • The Third-party insurance is required.

Additional information:

  • In Burundi some people drive without driver licenses; moreover, the Burundian driver licenses can be acquired without training. So, most Burundian drivers are not careful, predictable, or mindful of driving rules.
  • In Bujumbura, there are no functioning traffic signals. Roadways are not marked.
  • In the rainy season, driving in many side roads is passable only with four-wheel drive vehicles.
  • If a driver is found to have caused an accident, he will be automatically fined and his driving permit will be confiscated until the police investigation is completed.
  • In Bujumbura, the police phone number is 22-22-37-77; it is no comparable outside the capital.
  • From February to May, heavy rains may cut roads and damage infrastructure.
  • A valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required for entry into Burundi.



 Driving Overseas - Short Information