Eritrea drives on the right. The blood alcohol limit is stricter than most European countries. Use our penalty calculator and printable checklist below.
Eritrea 2026: A 0.04% Alcohol Limit, Stricter Than Most
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4 min readEritrea drives on the right side of the road. The motorway speed limit is 100 km/h. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.04% BAC.
Eritrea has right-hand traffic and a BAC limit of 0.04% — stricter than the US 0.08%. Speed cameras cover moderate stretches of the primary motorway network, and 20+ km/h speeding costs a fixed roadside fine.
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Eritrea, Asmara City Drive · Ras Ambessa
Eritrea’s blood alcohol limit is set at 0.04%, a narrower margin than many countries allow before a stop becomes a citation. Speed limits run 50 km/h in towns, 80 km/h on rural roads and 100 km/h on motorways, with traffic keeping to the right. Police answer on 113 and the fire service on 116.
Speed limits are 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on rural roads, and 100 km/h on motorways. The blood alcohol limit is 0.04% BAC.
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Eritrea drives on the right. If you are arriving from Tanzania (which drives on the left), be especially careful during your first hours on the road.
Emergency Numbers in Eritrea
Police: 113 | Fire: 116
Save these numbers before you start driving. In Eritrea, emergency calls are free from any phone.
Speed Limits in Eritrea
The default speed limits for passenger cars in Eritrea are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on rural roads, and 100 km/h on motorways.
Heavy vehicles over 3.5 tonnes are held to lower limits; Eritrea’s exact truck figures are not in any official source we could check.
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 Eritrea 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.
Priority at intersections follows posted signs. When no signs are present, yield to traffic from the right.
Drink-Driving Laws and Alcohol Limits
The legal blood alcohol limit in Eritrea is 0.04% BAC. This is higher than Djibouti (0.00% (zero tolerance) 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
Due to Eritrea’s tropical climate, winter tyres are not required. Standard tyres suitable for wet and dry conditions are appropriate year-round.
The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm.
Studded tyres are prohibited in Eritrea.
For detailed tyre law information, see our Tyre Laws in Eritrea guide.
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.
Seasonal Driving Conditions
Eritrea has a diverse terrain from coastal to highland. The main driving hazard is heavy rainfall — roads can flood quickly and visibility drops sharply during downpours. Reduce speed in rain and avoid crossing flooded sections. Road surfaces may deteriorate during the wet season.
Practical Driving Tips for Eritrea
- Download offline maps of Eritrea 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.
Speed Limits in Eritrea
| Road Type | Cars | Trucks (>3.5t) |
|---|---|---|
| Urban | 50 km/h | — |
| Rural | 80 km/h | — |
| Motorway | 100 km/h | — |
Emergency Numbers in Eritrea
These numbers are free to call and available 24/7. When calling, state your location and the nature of the emergency.
Tyre Laws in Eritrea
Winter tyre requirements, tread depth rules, and studded tyre regulations.
View tyre regulationsAvoid a fine in Eritrea
Who pays a driving fine abroad, the hire-car admin-fee trap, and how to appeal.
Read the fine guideDriving in Eritrea on a foreign licence
Nationality-specific licence, IDP & rules — pick where your licence is from:
Renting a Car in Eritrea?
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Recent changes to this page
- Truck speed limits removed: the 50/70/80 km/h figures were a template default with no official source for this country.
- Title reworded so the year sits with the subject instead of trailing the sentence.
- Emergency numbers corrected from 112 to the official figures (GOV.UK foreign travel advice).
- 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 Eritrea is not one of them, so the link could not answer the question it promised. It now points to the speed-limit map, which does cover Eritrea.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Eritrea, the default speed limits for passenger vehicles are: urban areas 50 km/h (31 mph), rural roads 80 km/h (50 mph), and motorways 100 km/h (62 mph). Always follow posted signs as limits may differ on specific roads.
In Eritrea, 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 Eritrea 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 Eritrea for the most current requirements.
Winter tyres in Eritrea are: Not Required. Regardless of legal requirements, winter tyres or all-season tyres with the appropriate markings (M+S or 3PMSF) are strongly recommended when temperatures drop below 7°C for improved safety and grip.
The emergency numbers in Eritrea are police 113 and fire 116. 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 Eritrea. 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 Eritrea, 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 Eritrea 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.
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Speed limits, fines and tyre laws change frequently. Get monthly updates for the countries you drive in.
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