Cape Verde drives on the right with a 0.05% alcohol limit, stricter than the US 0.08%. We found no verified national speed table, so signs override any rule of thumb.
Driving in Cape Verde 2026: Right Side, 0.05% Alcohol Cap
Data verified:
3 min readCape Verde drives on the right side of the road. The minimum driving age is 18. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05% BAC.
Cape Verde has right-hand traffic and a BAC limit of 0.05%, stricter than the US 0.08%; the WHO road safety report gives the figure as government-reported data.
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Cape Verde drives on the right, with a blood-alcohol limit of 0.05% (WHO road safety report, government-reported), the same threshold used across most of continental Europe. We found no published national speed table, so follow the signs. Police answer on 132, ambulance on 130 and fire on 131, and the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm.
Your case: 0.05% is a tighter margin than the 0.08% many visitors drive under at home — see what it means for your own weight and evening in the BAC calculator.
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Emergency Numbers in Cape Verde
Police: 132 | Ambulance: 130 | Fire: 131
Save these numbers before you start driving. In Cape Verde, emergency calls are free from any phone.
Speed Limits in Cape Verde
We could not find a published national speed table for Cape Verde in an official source, so follow the posted signs.
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 Cape Verde 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, traffic circulates anticlockwise: give way to vehicles already on the roundabout, which approach from your left, unless signs say otherwise.
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.
Drink-Driving Laws and Alcohol Limits
The legal blood alcohol limit in Cape Verde is 0.05%. Penalties for drink-driving include heavy fines, licence confiscation, and potential imprisonment.
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 a consideration in Cape Verde’s tropical climate; tyres in good condition are what matter.
No legal minimum tread depth for Cape Verde turned up in an official source we could check; check the tyres on a hire car before you drive off.
Driving License Requirements
Always carry your original driving licence — photocopies are not accepted.
Parking and Fuel
Parking rules vary by city. Look for designated parking areas and always check signs for time limits and payment requirements.
Most fuel stations accept major credit and debit cards. In rural areas, keep your tank above half — stations may be far apart.
Practical Driving Tips for Cape Verde
- Download offline maps of Cape Verde 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.
Emergency Numbers in Cape Verde
These numbers are free to call and available 24/7. When calling, state your location and the nature of the emergency.
Avoid a fine in Cape Verde
Who pays a driving fine abroad, the hire-car admin-fee trap, and how to appeal.
Read the fine guideDriving in Cape Verde on a foreign licence
Nationality-specific licence, IDP & rules — pick where your licence is from:
Renting a Car in Cape Verde?
Compare prices from all major rental companies. Free cancellation on most bookings.
Compare Car Rental PricesSome links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How our affiliate links work.
Recent changes to this page
- Minimum driving age added: 18 for a car licence, from Decreto-Legislativo n.4/2005 (Codigo Estradal), Boletim Oficial I Serie n.39, 26-09-2005, art. 121 n.2 e n.3 (https://portaldocomercio.gov.cv/documents/68033/73643/Decreto-Legislativo+4_2005.pdf/5d9451fa-20bc-b528-5346-0e953bd5d23b?t=1684750902634).
- Tyre rules corrected: template defaults (1.6 mm tread, winter tyres not required, studded tyres prohibited) replaced with sourced rules or removed where no official source exists.
- Roundabout rule corrected: the page said to enter clockwise, but traffic keeps right here, so roundabouts run anticlockwise.
- Template speed limits (50/80/100 km/h) and the 100 km/h motorway field removed from description, quick answer, FAQ and body; no national speed table is verified. Alcohol 0.05% attributed to the WHO road safety report.
- Emergency numbers corrected from 112 to the official figures (GOV.UK foreign travel advice).
- Opened with the driving-side and road-rules answer the queries ask for; title, description and quick answer rewritten.
- Title and description tightened to the page's own data (title 50-60, description 140-155 characters).
- Title, description and introduction rewritten from this page's own data (no shared template wording).
- Replaced the speeding-fine calculator link: that tool covers 17 countries and Cape Verde is not one of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
We could not find a published national speed table for Cape Verde in an official source, so follow the posted signs.
In Cape Verde, traffic drives on the right side of the road. Vehicles have the steering wheel on the left side. If you are visiting from a country that drives on the left, take extra care at intersections, roundabouts, and when overtaking.
Foreign visitors to Cape Verde should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their valid national driving license. An IDP translates your license into multiple languages and is recognized internationally. Check with the embassy of Cape Verde for the most current requirements.
Winter tyres are not a consideration in Cape Verde's tropical climate; tyres in good condition are what matter.
The emergency numbers in Cape Verde are police 132, ambulance 130 and fire 131. These numbers are free to call and available 24/7. When calling, be prepared to state your location and the nature of the emergency.
Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is prohibited in Cape Verde. Hands-free systems (Bluetooth, speakerphone, or mounted devices) are permitted. Penalties for mobile phone use while driving typically include fines. For safety, always use hands-free solutions or pull over to use your phone.
When driving in Cape Verde, you should always carry: your valid driving license (and IDP if applicable), vehicle registration document, valid insurance certificate (Green Card for European countries), and your passport or national ID. Rental car drivers should also carry the rental agreement. Police may request these documents during routine checks.
Driving in Cape Verde is generally safe for tourists who are prepared. Before driving, familiarize yourself with local traffic rules, road signs, and driving customs. Consider downloading offline maps, carrying emergency supplies, and purchasing comprehensive insurance. Avoid driving at night in unfamiliar areas if possible.
Get Driving Law Updates
Speed limits, fines and tyre laws change frequently. Get monthly updates for the countries you drive in.
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