Driving in Kenya with a US, UK or EU Licence (2026)

The short answer

• Bring your full, valid driving licence from home: the card itself, not a photo of it.
• A valid foreign licence can be used in Kenya for up to 90 days from arrival.
• If your licence is not in English, you also need an International Driving Permit (IDP). It is a translation of your licence in a standard format and does not replace it: carry both.
• Staying longer than 90 days? You will need to convert to a Kenyan licence through NTSA (the National Transport and Safety Authority). Confirm with NTSA if you are staying longer.
• Bring your passport. You need it for the car hire, and visitors on a foreign passport also need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) to enter Kenya, unless their nationality is exempt.

US licences

American licences are issued by each state, and they vary in format. Most are in English, so most US visitors do not need an IDP. An IDP for US licence holders is issued in the USA by the official motoring associations, so get it before you leave: you cannot get one in Kenya. If your state licence is a temporary paper licence, or you have only a digital licence on your phone, check with us before you travel.

UK licences

The UK photocard licence is in English, so you can use it for up to 90 days from arrival. If your licence has expired, or you are waiting for a renewal from the DVLA, you will not be able to hire a car from us: a full, valid licence is required.

EU licences

EU licences follow a common format with a photo, and many show the categories in more than one language. If your licence is not in English, you need an IDP with it. An IDP is usually issued by a national motoring association in the country that issued your licence.

Kenyans living abroad

If you still hold a valid Kenyan licence, bring it: it is the simplest option. Kenyan licences have moved to the smart driving licence (the "smart DL"); check its status with NTSA before you travel if you have not used it for a while. If you only hold a foreign licence now, the advice above for that country applies to you.

What we ask for when you hire

• Every driver must be 25 or over and have held a full licence for at least 2 years. We can sometimes waive the 2-year rule; ask before you book.
• At handover we check the licence and passport (or Kenyan ID) of every driver and keep a copy with your booking.
• Every driver must be named on the rental agreement. Extra drivers are welcome; they meet the same rules.

Our guide to the documents you need to rent a car in Kenya has the full list, and how to book shows when to upload them.

At a traffic check

Police checks are common in Kenya. Stay calm and polite, switch off the engine if asked, and show your licence, and your IDP if you have one. Official fines are paid through eCitizen or a bank, never in cash at the roadside. If you are unsure, call our 24/7 line and put us on speaker. Our driving in Nairobi guide covers the rest of the road rules worth relearning.

Not sure? Take a chauffeur

If your licence situation is unclear, or you would simply rather not drive after a long flight, every car we rent can come with one of our vetted chauffeurs: KES 4,000 a day within Nairobi or KES 5,000 a day outside, plus food and overnight accommodation away from Nairobi. You can also book a chauffeur for the first day only, and drive yourself once you have found your feet.

Choosing your car

Visitors driving on a foreign licence often pick something familiar and easy to park for the first few days: a Toyota Harrier or Mazda CX-5 in town, or a Toyota Prado for long drives upcountry. Kenya drives on the left, like the UK, so drivers from the USA and most of Europe should take the first few kilometres slowly. Not used to a manual gearbox? Ask us which cars are automatic for your dates.

See self-drive car hire in Nairobi for every car and rule in one place, or car hire for the diaspora if you are coming home.