Sudan 2026 on a US Licence: 90 Days Valid, Zero Alcohol
United States
Sudan
A US licence is valid in Sudan for up to 90 days, the State Department says; longer stays need an IDP or a Sudanese licence, and government third-party insurance is required. Alcohol: 0.0.
Sudan is not a casual self-drive destination, and an American thinking about getting behind the wheel here should treat the licence question as the easy part and the conditions as the real planning task.
The licence verdict
You can drive in Sudan on your American licence for up to 90 days, the State Department says; after that you need an International Driving Permit or a Sudanese licence from the police traffic department. Third-party liability insurance from the government is required, and comprehensive cover is worth having because many local drivers carry none. Carry your licence, insurance papers and passport as a set.
Right-hand traffic — no side switch, but other adjustments
Sudan drives on the right, exactly as the United States does, so the muscle-memory side switch that trips up so many drivers abroad is not a problem here. What does change is everything around the lane: away from the main routes through Khartoum, surfaces are rough, signage is sparse, and you should plan around fuel and daylight rather than posted speeds. Drive to the road in front of you, not to a sign.
Alcohol is a flat zero
This is the rule worth committing to memory. Sudan’s drink-drive limit is 0.0 — there is no margin at all, a sharp contrast with the 0.08 that is standard across the US. Sudan is also a largely dry country, so the practical answer is simply not to drink before driving.
Speeds and the basics
Where limits are posted, expect roughly 50 km/h in towns and 80–100 km/h on the open road, but enforcement and signage are inconsistent — these are guides, not guarantees. The emergency number is 112. Check the wider rules on the Sudan driving guide, confirm your paperwork with the Driving Permit Checker, and read who pays driving fines abroad before you travel, since penalties are handled very differently here than at home.
Sources
- U.S. Department of State, Country Information, Sudan (“An international driving permit or Sudanese license and third-party liability insurance from the government is required. You may use a U.S. driver’s license for up to 90 days.”), last updated November 12, 2025: cadataapi.state.gov
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for up to 90 days. The U.S. State Department says "you may use a U.S. driver's license for up to 90 days"; beyond that you need an International Driving Permit or a Sudanese licence from the police traffic department. Third-party liability insurance from the government is required either way.
Sudan's blood-alcohol limit is 0.0 — a flat zero, far below the US 0.08. Sudan is largely dry in any case, so the only safe policy is no alcohol at all before driving.
Sudan drives on the right, the same as the United States, so there is no side switch for an American driver. The bigger adjustment is road condition and signage rather than which side you sit on.