Driving in Gabon means right-hand traffic with rules that may differ from home. Several rules catch tourists off guard every year. Full guide with penalty calculator below.
Gabon 2026: Right-Hand Traffic, 0.08% Alcohol Limit
Data verified:
3 min readGabon drives on the right side of the road. The minimum driving age is 18. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08% BAC.
Using a mobile phone behind the wheel in Gabon costs a stiff roadside fine — often more than a speeding fine. The rule covers handling the device even at traffic lights, which surprises many visitors.
Watch: Driving in Gabon
Driving Through Libreville, Gabon | Streets of a Thriving Central African City · AbdelKarim BenAbdallah
In Gabon, the legal blood-alcohol ceiling is 0.08%, and vehicles keep to the right-hand side of the road throughout the country. Visitors arriving from left-hand-traffic countries face the more noticeable adjustment, particularly at roundabouts in Libreville. Police and fire answer on 177 and ambulance on 117, though operators may speak only French.
We could not find a published national speed table for Gabon in an official source, so follow the posted signs, particularly around Libreville. The blood alcohol limit is 0.08% BAC.
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Emergency Numbers in Gabon
Police: 177 | Ambulance: 117 | Fire: 177
Save these numbers before you start driving. In Gabon, emergency calls are free from any phone.
Speed Limits in Gabon
We could not find a published national speed table for Gabon in an official source, so follow the posted signs, particularly around Libreville.
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 Gabon 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 Gabon is 0.08%. 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 Gabon’s tropical climate; tyres in good condition are what matter.
We could not find a published legal minimum tread depth for Gabon, so judge your tyres by their condition and replace them early: worn tread loses wet grip quickly.
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 Gabon
- Download offline maps of Gabon 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 Gabon
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 Gabon
Who pays a driving fine abroad, the hire-car admin-fee trap, and how to appeal.
Read the fine guideDriving in Gabon on a foreign licence
Nationality-specific licence, IDP & rules — pick where your licence is from:
Renting a Car in Gabon?
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Recent changes to this page
- Minimum driving age added: 18 for a car licence, from Ministere des Transports (DGTT/CNEPC) page 'Permis de conduire' (https://transports.gouv.ga/services-aux-usagers/permis-de-conduire/).
- 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; no verified national speed figure, so the page points to posted signs. The 0.08% alcohol figure is the WHO-reported limit.
- Emergency numbers corrected from 112 to the official figures (GOV.UK foreign travel advice).
- 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 Gabon is not one of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
We could not find a published national speed table for Gabon in an official source, so follow the posted signs, particularly around Libreville.
In Gabon, 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 Gabon 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 Gabon for the most current requirements.
Winter tyres are not a consideration in Gabon's tropical climate; tyres in good condition are what matter.
The emergency numbers in Gabon are police and fire 177 and ambulance 117. 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 Gabon. 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 Gabon, 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 Gabon 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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