Yes, some foreign visitors can legally drive in Ethiopia for a short time, but the licence rules are unclear and depend on where your licence comes from. The good news is that you don't need to drive to enjoy the country's roads: a day around Addis Ababa, the crater lakes at Bishoftu or the trip south to Hawassa are all easy with a car and a local driver, which is exactly what we do at Ethiopia Driver. Here's what the rules are, where they're fuzzy, and what to expect on the road.

Can you drive in Ethiopia on a foreign licence?

This is where it gets messy. The rules differ by nationality and the published guidance isn't consistent:

• UK licence: can be used for up to two weeks. For longer, you need to contact Ethiopia's Ministry of Transport and Logistics about an Ethiopian licence.
• Canadian licence plus an International Driving Permit (IDP): can be used for up to 45 days. Police may ask for proof of your arrival date, such as your entry stamp. After that you need an Ethiopian licence.
• US licence: Americans are told they need an Ethiopian driving licence, applied for with an authenticated copy of their US licence.
• IDP in general: some travel guides say an IDP is accepted for up to three months, but don't rely on that without written confirmation.

Ethiopia joined the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic in August 2021, and that convention is the basis for the most common type of IDP. Joining it doesn't guarantee that every police officer or rental company will accept a foreign permit, though, and practice clearly isn't settled.

Can you rent a car without a driver?

It isn't straightforward. Self-drive hire is available within Addis Ababa, but outside the capital cars normally come with a driver. Many rental firms insist on sending their own driver, especially for trips out of the city, or only rent self-drive to people with an Ethiopian licence or residence card.

That's why a car with a driver is the normal way to travel here, not a luxury. With us you get the whole car and a driver who knows the roads, whether that's a day around Addis or a trip to Bishoftu or Hawassa. You get a fixed quote before the trip, by WhatsApp or email.

Which side of the road does Ethiopia drive on?

On the right, in left-hand-drive cars. That will feel familiar if you drive in mainland Europe or North America, and less so if you're used to the UK, Kenya or South Africa.

What road rules should you know?

• Seat belts are required.
• Using a mobile phone while driving is prohibited.
• Giving money to people begging at vehicles stopped in traffic is illegal.
• After an accident, you must not move your vehicle until the police arrive. Stay with it, stay calm and call the police. If you ever feel unsafe, leave and report the accident at the nearest police station.
• Police checkpoints are a normal part of road travel, both outside Addis Ababa and on major roads in the capital. Carry ID and follow instructions calmly.

Drivers involved in accidents can face serious penalties, including prison sentences and fines. For a visitor, that's one of the best reasons to leave the driving to someone who holds an Ethiopian licence and knows the local procedures. The police emergency number is 991.

What are Ethiopia's roads like?

The main roads out of Addis Ababa are paved, and the drives to Bishoftu and to Hawassa are ones our drivers make regularly. Ethiopia's roads do ask more of a driver than many visitors are used to, though. WHO estimates a road death rate of 17.7 per 100,000 people in 2021, above the global rate of 15.

What should you expect on the road?

• Busy city traffic. Addis Ababa traffic is heavy and driving styles take some getting used to.
• Mixed road quality. Major roads are paved but most secondary roads are not, signs are sparse outside larger towns, and the June–September rains slow things down.
• People and animals. Pedestrians, bicycles and livestock share the road, often without warning.
• Daylight travel. Outside cities, roads are usually unlit and some vehicles run without lights, so long trips are best done by day. We plan departure times with you so you arrive before dark.
• Fuel. In September 2026 there are fuel shortages and queues at petrol stations. Keep the tank full, or ask us how it looks on your route.
• Navigation. Mobile coverage is patchy outside towns, so a driver who knows the way beats relying on your phone.

Where can you travel by road right now?

Addis Ababa, Bishoftu and the road south to Hawassa are open and busy with ordinary life. Some governments currently advise against travel to parts of the north, including Amhara and Tigray, so we don't drive there right now and suggest Addis, Bishoftu and Hawassa instead.

Before every trip outside Addis Ababa, we do our own security check using reports from our drivers across the country. We talk it through with you and decide together on the best plan: the route, a reroute if needed, what time to leave, and when not to travel at all. We look after you inside the city and outside it, and you have a trusted local driver as company for the whole trip.

Our drivers make the trips to Bishoftu and to Hawassa and the south regularly, so we can tell you current road conditions, fuel availability and how long the drive is taking before you commit. Check official travel advice too before any trip.

Should you drive yourself or hire a driver?

If you live in Ethiopia and hold a local licence, driving yourself on familiar routes can make sense. For a short visit the balance usually tips the other way: unclear licence rules, rental firms that prefer to supply a driver, serious legal consequences after an accident, busy traffic and fuel queues. With a driver, you simply enjoy the view: in the city we drop you at the door and wait, so you're never flagging taxis on the street, and on longer trips we plan the route and timing with you.

Whichever you choose, the basics are the same: wear seat belts, travel in daylight outside cities, check current travel advice before long trips, and allow more time than the map suggests.