Guinea on a British Licence 2026: The 1949 IDP Is Required
United Kingdom
Guinea
Yes, if you add the 1949 international driving permit. GOV.UK says UK drivers in Guinea need it in the car with the UK licence. Traffic keeps right, and checkpoints are common.
Guinea, on West Africa’s Atlantic coast, is rarely a self-drive holiday destination, and most British visitors are there for work. GOV.UK notes that hotels and travel agencies offer hire cars with a driver if required, and many people choose that. If you will drive yourself, start with the paperwork and the side of the road.
The permit is required
GOV.UK says: “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.” Note the version: Guinea needs the 1949 permit, not the 1968 one used for much of Europe and the Middle East. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get the right one before you fly. Police and local militia run checkpoints across the country and check documents, so keep the permit, licence and passport together.
Right-hand traffic
Guinea drives on the right. Coming from the UK, the first day carries the most risk: a roundabout that turns the other way, a glance in the wrong direction, drifting toward the left after a turn.
Roads and checkpoints
GOV.UK warns that road travel is hazardous, especially in the rainy season from May to October, when even roads in Conakry can flood. Maintenance is poor, many roads are unmetalled with deep potholes, and fuel is not always available, so carry an emergency supply on long journeys. British Embassy staff avoid road travel outside the Conakry region at night. GOV.UK also says corruption and extortion are common at roadblocks.
Emergencies
GOV.UK says there are no emergency services in Guinea. For urgent medical help it lists Clinique Pasteur and Clinique Ambroise Paré in Conakry. Save their numbers from the GOV.UK page before you travel.
See the Guinea driving guide, the Driving Permit Checker and the Speed Limit Map for longer routes.
Sources
- GOV.UK foreign travel advice, Guinea, safety and security (1949 IDP, roads, checkpoints): https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/guinea/safety-and-security
- GOV.UK foreign travel advice, Guinea, getting help (no emergency services; clinics): https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/guinea/getting-help
Speed limits, fines, equipment & license requirements
Your home country driving rules for reference
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Frequently Asked Questions
Only with the 1949 international driving permit as well. GOV.UK says you need both the 1949 IDP and your UK licence with you in the car. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK.
Guinea drives on the right, the opposite of the UK. Junctions and roundabouts in Conakry are where the old habit shows, especially on the first day.
GOV.UK says there are no emergency services in Guinea. For urgent medical help it lists clinics in Conakry, such as Clinique Pasteur and Clinique Ambroise Paré. Save their numbers before you travel.