Democratic Republic of the Congo Angola
Democratic Republic of the Congo 
AngolaLast reviewed July 2026
Crossing the border
Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola 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 Angola
- Drive on the right.
- Heavy congestion in Luanda.
- 0.06% alcohol limit.
- Carry passport, IDP and home licence.
Once you're driving in Angola
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
Angola requires a foreign visitor to present a full valid national licence together with an International Driving Permit before renting or driving a car. The IDP-plus-home-licence combination is accepted only for a short tourist stay of about 1 month; longer stays require a local Angolan licence.
Tolls & road charges
Angola has no developed toll-road or vignette system, so tourists do not buy tolls in advance; budget instead for high fuel and rental costs and for informal police stops. Carry small cash for any unofficial requests at checkpoints.
Parking in the cities
In Luanda parking is scarce, streets are narrow and congested, and there are no formal paid zones or apps; use guarded hotel or shopping-centre parking. Never leave a car parked overnight on the street, as theft and break-ins are common; informal attendants will watch a car for a tip.
Fines & camera enforcement
Speeding, seatbelt and phone-use offences carry graduated fines and, for serious cases, points or bans; urban limits are typically 60 km/h. Fines are often handled on the spot, sometimes informally in cash, so insist on official documentation, and any camera or checkpoint fines are passed on by rental firms.
If you have an accident
Drive on the right; after a crash stop and do not move the vehicles, and call police on 113 (ambulance 112, fire 115). Get a police report for your insurer or rental firm, and be aware that response can be slow and English is rarely spoken.
Driving in the capital
Luanda traffic (the local 'confusão') is heavy, aggressive and loosely rule-bound, with narrow streets, frequent jams and little lane discipline; expect police checkpoints where you must show your IDP, licence and vehicle papers.
Sources: gov.uk · tyremap.com · rhinocarhire.com · internationaldriversassociation.com