Ireland licence 
VanuatuCan you drive in Vanuatu with an Ireland license?
Short answer: you cannot drive in Vanuatu on an Ireland license or an International Driving Permit alone — Vanuatu requires a local or temporary licence.
An International Driving Permit is not sufficient to drive in Vanuatu. Vanuatu does not accept the IDP for foreign visitors — a local or temporary licence is required. Always confirm the current rule before you travel.
Irish drivers should carry an International Driving Permit with their licence when driving outside the EU and EEA. Your International Driving Permit is a certified multilingual translation of your existing licence, prepared in the Local rules format and carried alongside your national licence.
What driving in Vanuatu is like
The 130 km sealed Efate ring road, a roughly 3-hour loop around the island taking in Mele Cascades, blue holes and coastal villages, is the standout drive. For most visitors the real draw is the freedom to reach places trains and tours don't, on your own schedule, with the open road generally capped around 80 km/h open roads. Getting behind the wheel is the easy part: your International Driving Permit is a certified translation of your Ireland licence, carried alongside it, so rental staff and officials in Vanuatu can read your credentials at a glance.
What applies to Ireland licence holders in Vanuatu
| Ireland licence in Vanuatu | |
|---|---|
| Do you need an IDP? | An IDP is not sufficient here |
| IDP format required | Local licensing rules apply |
| Your Ireland licence script | Roman (Latin) alphabet |
| Ireland is party to | 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna |
| Drives on the | Right-hand side |
| Minimum driving age | 18 |
| Emergency number | 111 (police), 112 (ambulance) |
| Top speed limit | 80 km/h open roads |
| Currency | VUV |
Driving rules in Vanuatu you should know
- Drive on the right.
- Unsealed roads outside Port Vila.
- 0.05% alcohol limit.
- Watch for pedestrians and animals.
Local driving facts in Vanuatu
Emergency number: 111 (police), 112 (ambulance) (112 also connects from most mobiles). Typical maximum for cars on the fastest road class: 80 km/h open roads. Posted limits always take precedence.
Tolls & road charges in Vanuatu
Vanuatu has no toll roads or electronic toll system; including the sealed Efate ring road, all roads are toll-free.
Parking in Vanuatu
Port Vila has no metered parking zones or parking apps and overnight street parking is largely unregulated, but the central market and waterfront road become heavily congested on weekday mornings. Park in attended or hotel lots and never leave valuables visible, as break-ins occur.
Penalties & enforcement in Vanuatu
Town speed limit is 50 km/h and 80 km/h outside towns; police run frequent roadside checks and fine for speeding, no seatbelt, phone use or failure to produce licence and IDP, which can mean on-the-spot fines or temporary suspension. Rental companies pass any infringement and camera charges back to the hirer's card.
If you have an accident in Vanuatu
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.
City driving in Vanuatu
Vanuatu drives on the RIGHT and overtakes on the left; in Port Vila the narrow, congested waterfront and Lini Highway around the central market are the main pinch points, with the 50 km/h town limit strictly checked at roadside stops.
Winter driving in Vanuatu
No winter-tyre rules - tropical climate.
Fuel in Vanuatu
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.
Sources: police.gov.vu, vanuatu.travel, thingstodoinvanuatu.com, internationaldriversassociation.com