Can an Indian Drive in South Sudan? — Yes, IDP + Side Switch

South Sudan is one of the world’s newest countries and not a typical self-drive destination — Indian visitors are usually there for work, aid or business. Whatever the reason, the practical advice here is unusually weighted toward judgement and current information rather than rules and numbers.

The verdict for Indian licence holders

You can drive in South Sudan on your Indian licence, with an International Driving Permit recommended to carry alongside it and your passport. Arrange the IDP in India before you fly. The single most important step for this destination, above any equipment list, is to check your government’s latest travel and security advice before going and while you are there — conditions can shift, and that should guide whether and where you drive at all.

The driving change: switching to the right

India drives on the left; South Sudan drives on the right. That side switch is the concrete thing to prepare for, and it bites hardest in the first hours — at roundabouts now circulating the other way, when pulling out, and at every junction where instinct points you the wrong direction. Take it slowly to begin with, ideally away from the busiest parts of Juba, and stay consciously deliberate until right-hand driving feels normal.

Roads, not signs, set the pace

Posted limits exist on paper — roughly 50 km/h in towns, 80 on rural roads, 100 on the fastest stretches — but they tell you little about the real driving. Many roads are unpaved, surfaces are rough, and away from the capital the network is sparse, so the condition of the road, not a sign, decides your speed. The recorded alcohol limit is 0.08, looser than India’s 0.03, but with limited lighting and unpredictable conditions, treat it as zero. The emergency number is 112. Drive in daylight, keep fuel topped up given long gaps between stations, and don’t rely on signage.

Confirm your documents with the Driving Permit Checker, see the local rules on our South Sudan driving guide, and browse the wider driving directory for the surrounding region.