Driving in Cameroon 2026: IDP, 3 Kit Items, 0.08% Limit

Driving in Cameroon means right-hand traffic at 60 km/h in town and 110 km/h on rural roads (no national motorway limit appears in Cameroon’s 2023 WHO return), with a 0.08% blood-alcohol limit and a licence age of 16. Foreign visitors should carry an International Driving Permit alongside the original national licence, and the car must hold three items by law — warning triangle, fire extinguisher and first-aid kit — while a reflective vest and spare bulbs are not required.

Your case: Planning the Douala-Yaoundé run on the N3? Put your own car’s consumption into the fuel cost calculator before you set a budget.

🛣️ Plan your toll: Vignette Calculator — Austria, Switzerland, Slovakia, Czech, Hungary, Slovenia, Romania pricing.

🛞 Check your car: Emission Zone Checker — instant verdict for 596 European emission zones, free.

💡 Try it yourself: World Speed Limit Map — Cameroon’s limits by road type, next to 194 other countries, free.

Emergency Numbers in Cameroon

Police: 117 | Fire: 119 | Ambulance: 112

Save these numbers before you start driving. In Cameroon, emergency calls are free from any phone.

Speed Limits in Cameroon

Cameroon’s reported limits for passenger cars are 60 km/h in built-up areas and 110 km/h on rural roads. No national motorway limit is listed, so on the N3 toll road go by the posted signs.

Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes run to lower limits than cars. We have no officially sourced figures for Cameroon, so the posted signs decide.

Important: Posted signs always override default limits. Watch for temporary restrictions in construction zones, near schools, and in residential areas.

Speeding Fines and Penalties

Speeding fines in Cameroon vary based on how much you exceed the posted limit. Fines increase sharply for higher violations and may include licence points or driving bans for serious offences.

Traffic Rules and Regulations

Drive on the right side of the road. Overtake on the left. At roundabouts, enter counter-clockwise and yield to traffic already circulating.

Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants. Children must use appropriate restraint systems based on their age and height.

Using a hand-held phone while driving is prohibited. Hands-free systems are permitted.

Use headlights in poor visibility, tunnels, and at night. Some areas require headlights at all times.

At unmarked intersections, traffic from the right generally has priority unless signs indicate otherwise.

Drink-Driving Laws and Alcohol Limits

The legal blood alcohol limit in Cameroon is 0.08% BAC. This is higher than Angola (0.06% BAC). Exceeding this limit results in fines, licence suspension, and possible criminal charges. For novice drivers and professional drivers, stricter limits may apply.

The safest approach is to not drink at all if you will be driving. Alcohol affects reaction time and judgement regardless of the legal limit.

Tyre Requirements and Regulations

Winter tyres are not required in Cameroon. Standard tyres are sufficient for normal driving conditions.

The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm.

Studded tyres are not applicable to Cameroon’s climate — there is no cold-weather regulation covering them either way.

For detailed tyre law information, see our Tyre Laws in Cameroon guide.

Mandatory Vehicle Equipment

Vehicles in Cameroon must carry the following:

Required:

• Warning triangle
• First aid kit
• Fire extinguisher

Keep all equipment accessible — not buried under luggage. Police may check during routine stops.

Driving License Requirements

Always carry your original driving licence — photocopies are not accepted.

The minimum driving age for a car is 18 years (16 for motorcycles), set by the CEMAC regional road code.

Parking and Fuel

Parking rules vary by city. Look for designated parking areas and always check signs for time limits and payment requirements.

We do not hold a verified, dated fuel price for Cameroon, so check a local price app or the board at the station before you budget.

Most fuel stations accept major credit and debit cards. In rural areas, keep your tank above half — stations may be far apart.

Seasonal Driving Conditions

Cameroon has a varied conditions. Road conditions can change significantly between urban and rural areas. Heavy rain during the wet season may make some roads impassable. In arid regions, heat and dust affect visibility and vehicle performance.

Plan routes carefully and carry extra water and fuel for long journeys.

Practical Driving Tips for Cameroon

• Download offline maps of Cameroon before your trip — mobile signal can be unreliable on rural roads.
• Take a break every 2 hours on long drives. Fatigue is a leading cause of road accidents.
• Use our interactive tools on this page — compare rules with your home country and calculate potential fines before you set off.