Guinea Sierra Leone
Guinea 
Sierra LeoneLast reviewed July 2026
Crossing the border
Guinea and Sierra Leone 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 Sierra Leone
- Drive on the right.
- Poor roads in the rainy season.
- 0.05% alcohol limit.
- Carry passport, IDP and home licence.
Once you're driving in Sierra Leone
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
Sierra Leone accepts International Driving Permits issued under the 1949 Convention for up to one year, and an IDP carried with your national licence is strongly recommended because local police and rental firms may not accept an unfamiliar foreign licence on its own.
Tolls & road charges
There is no national electronic toll or vignette scheme; the main paved corridors (such as the Freetown-Bo highway and the Freetown toll road / Wellington-Masiaka stretch) may levy a cash toll at barriers, otherwise roads are free.
Parking in the cities
Street parking in central Freetown is congested and largely informal, with attendants expecting a small cash tip; use hotel or guarded lots where possible and avoid leaving vehicles unattended on busy streets.
Fines & camera enforcement
Foreign drivers most often encounter on-the-spot police checks for documents and seatbelt/phone use, with fines typically paid in cash; enforcement is uneven, so always carry your IDP, licence and rental papers to avoid roadside disputes.
If you have an accident
Call the police (emergency line 999, or 019) and wait for an official report; do not move vehicles after a serious or injury crash, and note that road signage and accident protocols are inconsistent so document the scene yourself with photos.
Driving in the capital
Freetown is steep, congested and chaotic with motorbike taxis ('okadas') weaving constantly; self-driving in the city is discouraged for first-timers and many visitors hire a car with a local driver instead.
Sources: worldtravelguide.net · travel.state.gov · internationaldriversassociation.com · tyremap.com