Country requirements · Cuba
Do you need an International Driving Permit to drive in Cuba?
Short answer
An International Driving Permit is recommended for Cuba and required if your national licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet. Cuba drives on the right and accepts a valid foreign licence with an IDP recommended; rental cars are scarce and best booked well ahead. Cuba follows the 1949 Geneva standard, so your permit must be issued in that format. At rental desks operated by Hertz, Enterprise, Alamo, Budget, Avis and Sixt, a valid IDP is a standard counter requirement for foreign licences; arriving without one can mean a refused booking or a lost deposit. Cuba drives on the right and the minimum rental age is typically 21+, with a young-driver surcharge usually applied under 25. Carry your IDP together with your original national licence and passport at all times — the permit is a certified translation and never replaces your licence.
Sourced from the 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna Conventions and rental-network policies
Cuba at a glance
IDP requiredRecommended
Accepted format1949 Geneva
Minimum age to rent21+ (surcharge under 25)
Drive on theRight-hand side
Carry alongsideYour national licence + passport
CurrencyCUP
Top speed limit100 km/h Autopista Nacional
Emergency number106 (police)
Driving in Cuba
What the rules require
When do you need an IDP in Cuba?
Cuba drives on the right and accepts a valid foreign licence with an IDP recommended; rental cars are scarce and best booked well ahead. The permit is a recognised translation of your licence and is presented together with the original.
Does renting a car in Cuba require an IDP?
Cars are limited and pre-booking is essential; an IDP is recommended. Having your permit ready avoids losing your reservation at the counter.
Driving rules in Cuba you should know
- Drive on the right.
- Watch for cyclists, carts and pedestrians on highways.
- 0.05% alcohol limit.
- Fuel can be hard to find — fill up when you can.
How long is an IDP valid in Cuba?
Cuba recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention format, under which an IDP is valid for up to 1 year from its issue date. If you travel regularly, the validity clock starts on the issue date, not on first use — so order close to your departure to maximise usable time.
Documents checklist for driving in Cuba
- Your original national driving licence — the IDP is a translation and is never valid on its own.
- Your International Driving Permit, in the 1949 Geneva format Cuba recognises.
- Your passport or accepted national ID for police checks and rental pick-up.
- For rentals: the credit card used for the booking and your rental agreement (it covers the registration and insurance papers).
- Local currency or a card for road costs — Cuba uses the CUP.
Cuba · common questions
01
Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in Cuba?
Visitors can usually drive in Cuba on a valid foreign licence, but an IDP is required if your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet and is recommended for car rental. Cuba drives on the right and accepts a valid foreign licence with an IDP recommended; rental cars are scarce and best booked well ahead.
02
Which IDP format does Cuba accept, and how long is it valid?
Cuba recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention format, under which an IDP is valid for up to 1 year from its issue date. Your document is prepared in exactly that convention booklet format.
03
Do I need an IDP to rent a car in Cuba?
Cars are limited and pre-booking is essential; an IDP is recommended. The minimum rental age in Cuba is typically 21+, and most agencies apply a young-driver surcharge under 25. Bring your IDP, your original national licence, your passport and the credit card used for the booking.
04
Which side of the road does Cuba drive on?
Cuba drives on the right-hand side of the road. Drive on the right.
05
What is the drink-driving limit in Cuba?
0.05% alcohol limit. Penalties for exceeding the limit as a foreign driver can include on-the-spot fines, vehicle impoundment and invalidated rental insurance — if in doubt, don't drive after drinking.
06
What is the speed limit in Cuba?
The maximum for cars on the fastest road class in Cuba is 100 km/h Autopista Nacional. Limits drop in built-up areas and on secondary roads, and posted signs always take precedence — speed enforcement against foreign drivers commonly arrives as a fine charged through your rental company.
07
What is the emergency number in Cuba?
Dial 106 (police) in Cuba. From any GSM mobile phone, 112 also connects to local emergency services in most countries even without a local SIM. After an accident, stay at the scene, secure it (use your warning triangle where required) and notify your rental company before any repairs.
08
What documents should I carry while driving in Cuba?
Carry your original national driving licence, your International Driving Permit, your passport (or national ID where accepted), and the vehicle's registration and insurance papers (your rental agreement covers these for hire cars). The IDP is a translation of your licence and is never valid on its own.
09
Is an IDP the same as a driver's licence in Cuba?
No. An IDP is an official multilingual translation of your existing licence in the United Nations convention format — it does not grant driving privileges by itself and must always be presented together with your valid national licence. Note that some countries issue official government IDPs only through authorized bodies (in the US, AAA and AATA).
10
How long does it take to get an IDP for Cuba?
With International Driver Licence you receive your digital IDP by email in as fast as 8 minutes — a printable 16-page convention-format PDF booklet plus a QR-verifiable wallet card you can keep on your phone. That makes it practical even if you're already at the airport or the rental counter.
100% money-back guarantee
Full refund if your permit is ever declined.
Unlimited replacements
Lost or damaged? Re-download or reprint, free.
24/7 support
Help before and during your trip, any hour.