Cross-border route

Tanzania Zambia

Driving across the border

Yes — you can drive from Tanzania into Zambia: carry a certified IDP translation of your licence alongside the original so border officials and rental desks can read your credentials. Zambia expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP, prepared in the 1968 Vienna Convention format. Both countries drive on the left, so there is no change of driving side at the border. Plan your border crossing in advance and keep your passport, national licence and IDP together.

Get my permit for Zambia Zambia requirements

Last reviewed July 2026

Route at a glance

FromTanzania

ToZambia

IDP in ZambiaStrongly recommended

Accepted format1968 Vienna

Driving sideleft (no change)

Currency in ZambiaZMW

Emergency number999 (police), 991 (ambulance)

Top speed limit100 km/h on the Great North Road

Tanzania → Zambia

Crossing the border

Tanzania and Zambia 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 Zambia

Drive on the left.
Reflective triangles required for breakdowns.
0.08% alcohol limit.
Long distances between fuel stops.

What to see when you arrive in Zambia

Victoria Falls at Livingstone
the South Luangwa National Park
the Lower Zambezi National Park
Lake Kariba
the Devil's Pool

Once you're driving in Zambia

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 for up to 90 days on a valid national licence; an International Driving Permit is required if the licence is not in English and is strongly advised for police checkpoints and insurance claims, always carried with the original licence.

Tolls & road charges

Zambia runs a national toll-gate system on major highways operated by the National Road Fund Agency; light foreign-registered/rental vehicles pay a modest fee (around K20) in cash at each gate, so keep small kwacha notes handy.

Parking in the cities

In central Lusaka paid bays are managed by city-council attendants who issue tickets; use guarded hotel and shopping-mall lots, and never leave valuables visible as opportunistic theft occurs.

Fines & camera enforcement

Roadblocks are routine; default limits are 50 km/h urban, 100 km/h on highways, seatbelts compulsory and the BAC limit is 0.08%. Fines may be requested on the spot - insist on an official receipt and verify the amount; rental firms pass on camera/uninsured penalties.

If you have an accident

Call police on 991 (general emergency 999); for injuries or major damage a police report is mandatory and needed for insurance, do not move vehicles, and always ask for a receipt for any fine. Notify your rental firm before arranging recovery.

Driving in the capital

Lusaka's main arteries (Great East Road, Cairo Road) are congested at peak hours with minibuses stopping abruptly to pick up passengers; junctions can be chaotic and traffic-light outages are common.

Sources: internationaltravelpermits.com · tyremap.com · globalpetrolprices.com · lusaka365.co

Common questions

Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive from Tanzania to Zambia?

Yes — Zambia commonly asks foreign drivers to carry an IDP with their national licence. Zambia recognises the 1968 Vienna Convention format, which is the format your certified IDP translation is prepared in.

Does the driving side change between Tanzania and Zambia?

No. Both Tanzania and Zambia drive on the left.

What is the emergency number and speed limit in Zambia?

In Zambia, dial 999 (police), 991 (ambulance) for emergencies; 112 also works from most GSM phones. The maximum for cars on the fastest road class is 100 km/h on the Great North Road, but posted limits in towns and on secondary roads are lower and always take precedence.

How do tolls and road charges work in Zambia?

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.