Egypt Speed Limits 2026: 100 km/h and the 1949 IDP

Egypt’s speed limits are 100 km/h on motorways such as the Cairo–Alexandria desert road, 90 km/h on rural roads and 60 km/h in towns, with trucks held to 80 km/h on both motorway and rural roads. Egypt does not publish its speeding tariff in an official source we can open, so no fine figures are quoted on this page. What is documented is the paperwork: the UK’s travel advice states that “you’ll need to have both the 1949 version of the international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence with you in the car”, valid for up to six months before an Egyptian licence is required.

Your case: The number on the sign is the smallest part of driving here — the Egypt driving guide covers the documents checkpoints ask for, the zero alcohol limit and the equipment a roadside stop turns into a second fine.

The checkpoints and the dark matter more than the limit

Egypt posts roughly 100 km/h on its main highways like the Cairo–Alexandria desert road, but the limit is the least of what shapes a drive here. Expect frequent police and military checkpoints on intercity routes — carry the 1949 permit and your licence together, and stay relaxed. The FCDO is blunt about the dark: “do not drive outside main cities and resorts at night”, because unlit vehicles, livestock and oncoming cars running without headlights make it genuinely dangerous. It also records that “accidents are common because of variable road conditions, dangerous driving and poor traffic law enforcement”, and that driving under the influence “is a serious offence in Egypt” carrying a fine and possible imprisonment. If you can, hire a local driver for anything beyond a short, daytime hop.

Egypt Speed Limits Explained

Speed limits in Egypt vary by road type and vehicle category.

| Road Type | Cars | Trucks |

|———–|——|——–|

| Urban | 60 km/h | 60 km/h |

| Rural | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |

| Motorway | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |

Urban Speed Limits

The urban speed limit in Egypt is 60 km/h for passenger vehicles. Watch for variable speed signs in city centres.

Motorway Speed Limits

On motorways (highways/expressways), cars can travel at up to 100 km/h in Egypt.

Trucks and heavy vehicles are limited to 80 km/h on the same roads.

Speeding Penalties

Egypt publishes no consolidated traffic tariff that we could open, so this page quotes no fine amounts — the figures that circulate online disagree with each other and none is traceable to an Egyptian source. Assume a roadside fine, assume it is paid in cash in Egyptian pounds, and ask for the printed ticket.

What Most Guides Don’t Tell You

Local Enforcement

Enforcement standards in Egypt vary by region. Motorway stretches near cities tend to be monitored more heavily than remote rural roads.

Rental companies will forward any camera-generated fines to your payment card, plus an administration surcharge that can double the original amount.

Truck Speed Limits

Heavy vehicles on Egypt motorways are capped at 80 km/h, creating a speed differential of 20 km/h with passenger cars. Be alert when overtaking or merging.

Documents Before Equipment

A stop in Egypt is a document check first. The combination the FCDO names — the 1949 international driving permit plus your own licence, both in the car — is what makes the rest of the conversation short. Rental paperwork, insurance and passport should be within reach too; a warning triangle and fire extinguisher are sensible, though Egypt’s equipment list is not published in a form we can cite.

How Egypt Compares

Key Facts at a Glance

More Resources

• Full Driving Rules for Egypt

• World Speed Limit Map

• Speed Unit Converter