Egypt on a UK Licence — The Side Switch, an IDP & a Zero Alcohol Limit

Most British drivers picture Egypt as a sun-and-pyramids holiday and barely think about the car until they’re handed the keys. That’s a mistake, because three of the biggest adjustments a UK driver can face all land here at the same time.

The side switch is the headline

The UK drives on the left; Egypt drives on the right. This is the single thing most likely to catch you out, and it’s worse here than in calmer countries because Egyptian traffic doesn’t leave room for hesitation. The danger window is your first day — pulling out of a hotel car park, joining a roundabout that now flows the other way, or glancing the wrong direction at a junction. Take your first hour somewhere quiet, well away from central Cairo, and stay deliberate at every turn until the reflexes flip.

Paperwork: an IDP is compulsory

A UK licence is not enough on its own. You need an International Driving Permit carried with your licence and passport — the Post Office issues one over the counter before you travel, and it cannot be obtained in Egypt. Rental firms in Cairo, Hurghada and Sharm won’t release the car without it, and checkpoint police expect the full set. The permit is valid for stays of up to 3 months.

From 0.08 to absolute zero

The drink-drive shift is enormous. England’s limit is 0.08; Egypt’s is 0.0, meaning no measurable alcohol whatsoever. There is no “pint with lunch” leeway — if you’re driving, don’t drink at all. Penalties run to steep fines and licence confiscation, and enforcement is real around the resorts.

Speeds, fines and the basics

Town limits are 60 km/h, rural 90, motorways 100 km/h — slower than the UK, with checkpoints and unmarked humps throughout. A typical over-limit fine is around EGP 300-500 (roughly £5-9), paid on the spot. Petrol is cheap at about $0.35/litre, so distance is the least of your worries. Check the car carries a warning triangle and fire extinguisher, save 122 for police, and read the full rules on our Egypt driving guide. Confirm your documents with the Driving Permit Checker, and our guide to who pays fines abroad covers what happens if one follows you home.