Mozambique 2026: US Licence Covers Visits Up to 90 Days
United States
Mozambique
For a visit under 90 days your US licence is enough; the IDP or a local licence applies to stays beyond that. The big change is left-hand traffic, and alcohol is capped at 0.06.
For most American visitors, the paperwork in Mozambique hinges on one number: 90 days. The U.S. State Department’s country page says foreigners visiting Mozambique for more than 90 days are required to have an International Driver’s License or to obtain a Mozambican driver’s license. A holiday shorter than that is covered by your US licence; a longer stay needs an IDP — from AAA or AATA, before you leave — or a local licence. Either way, keep your licence and passport on you, and check your hire company’s own terms when you book.
The change that demands the most care is the side of the road. The United States drives on the right; Mozambique drives on the left. That mirrors every instinct you have built over years of driving — which way you look first at a junction, which side you overtake, how a roundabout flows. The dangerous window is your first day, especially pulling out of a fuel station or a hotel car park. Collect the car, do a slow lap on a quiet road, and stay consciously deliberate at every turn until left-hand traffic feels natural rather than wrong.
On speed, towns are limited to 60 km/h and roads outside them to 120 km/h. The numbers, though, are less of an issue than road conditions: outside the main routes, surfaces vary, unlit vehicles and pedestrians appear after dark, and long rural drives leave little margin for error. Drive in daylight where you can, keep speeds conservative, and treat the posted limit as a ceiling rather than a target. The alcohol limit is 0.06, below the US 0.08, and with checkpoints frequent the sensible policy is simply none before driving.
A couple of practical notes: the capital is Maputo, where city traffic is the most demanding driving you will do. Keep your licence and passport where you can reach them quickly.
Before you go, confirm exactly what your situation needs with our Driving Permit Checker, read the wider rules on the Mozambique driving guide, and the Driving Fines Abroad — Who Pays explainer is worth a look before you set off.
Sources
- U.S. Department of State, Country Information, Mozambique (“Foreigners visiting Mozambique for more than 90 days are required to have an International Driver’s License or to obtain a Mozambican driver’s license.”), last updated August 20, 2026: cadataapi.state.gov
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Frequently Asked Questions
Not for a short trip. The U.S. State Department's Mozambique page says foreigners visiting for more than 90 days are required to have an international licence or a Mozambican licence, so a shorter tourist visit is covered by your US licence. If you will stay longer, get the IDP from AAA or AATA before you travel.
Mozambique drives on the left, the opposite of the United States. This is the single biggest change for American drivers, so practise somewhere quiet before joining busy roads in Maputo.
The blood-alcohol limit is 0.06, lower than the US 0.08. Combined with frequent checkpoints, the only safe choice is no alcohol before driving.