Cross-border route

Brazil Suriname

Driving across the border

Yes — you can drive from Brazil into Suriname: carry a certified IDP translation of your licence alongside the original so border officials and rental desks can read your credentials. Suriname expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP, prepared in the 1949 Geneva Convention format. Important: Brazil drives on the right and Suriname drives on the left, so the side of the road changes at the border — take extra care. Plan your border crossing in advance and keep your passport, national licence and IDP together.

⚠ Driving side changes at the border: Brazil drives on the right, Suriname on the left.

Get my permit for Suriname Suriname requirements

Last reviewed July 2026

Route at a glance

FromBrazil

ToSuriname

IDP in SurinameStrongly recommended

Accepted format1949 Geneva

Driving sideChanges (right → left)

Currency in SurinameSRD

Emergency number115 (police)

Top speed limit80 km/h open roads

Brazil → Suriname

Crossing the border

Brazil and Suriname share a land border you can cross by car. Keep your passport, national driving licence and International Driving Permit together, and check opening hours and any toll or vignette requirements before you travel.

Driving rules in Suriname

Drive on the left.
Unpaved roads in the interior.
0.05% alcohol limit.
Carry passport, IDP and home licence.

Once you're driving in Suriname

Destination-specific detail sourced from national road authorities, motoring clubs and rental policies — the things that catch cross-border drivers out.

Driving on a foreign licence

Tourists may drive on a valid home licence for short stays, but Suriname is an IDP country and car-rental firms require an International Driving Permit alongside the home licence, especially if it is not in Dutch/English. Carry the IDP plus your national licence at all times.

Tolls & road charges

Suriname has no toll-road network; roads are funded publicly and there are no toll booths or vignettes for tourists to deal with.

Parking in the cities

Paramaribo has informal kerbside and lot parking with low or no fees; central spots fill early and pavements/potholes make spaces tight, so use guarded lots where available rather than risk a blocked or sunken kerb.

Fines & camera enforcement

Police issue on-the-spot tickets specifying the offence and where to pay; seatbelt and hand-held-phone violations are enforced, and rental firms pass any unpaid tickets to your card. Roads are unlit and poorly policed at night, so drive defensively rather than relying on enforcement.

If you have an accident

Stop, do not move the vehicles if anyone is hurt, and call the police; the standard emergency line is 115 for police. Wait for officers and obtain their report for your insurer and the rental company.

Driving in the capital

In Paramaribo expect left-hand traffic, undisciplined merging and large potholes on city streets; the busy roundabouts and the bridge approaches over the Suriname River are the main congestion chokepoints.

Sources: countryreports.org · tyremap.com · globalpetrolprices.com · autoeurope.co.uk

Common questions

Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive from Brazil to Suriname?

Yes — Suriname commonly asks foreign drivers to carry an IDP with their national licence. Suriname recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention format, which is the format your certified IDP translation is prepared in.

Does the driving side change between Brazil and Suriname?

Yes. Brazil drives on the right and Suriname drives on the left. Adjust carefully once you cross the border.

What is the emergency number and speed limit in Suriname?

In Suriname, dial 115 (police) for emergencies; 112 also works from most GSM phones. The maximum for cars on the fastest road class is 80 km/h open roads, but posted limits in towns and on secondary roads are lower and always take precedence.

How do tolls and road charges work in Suriname?

Suriname has no toll-road network; roads are funded publicly and there are no toll booths or vignettes for tourists to deal with.

How quickly can I get an IDP for this trip?

International Driver Licence issues your digital IDP in as fast as 8 minutes, so you can have it ready before you set off.