Driving in Guinea-Bissau means right-hand traffic with rules that differ from home. Traffic rules differ from what you may be used to at home. Full guide with penalty calculator below.
Right-Hand Roads, No Alcohol Figure: Guinea-Bissau (2026)
Data verified:
3 min readGuinea-Bissau drives on the right side of the road. The motorway speed limit is 100 km/h.
Enforcement in Guinea-Bissau runs moderate and police typically allow 5 km/h over the posted limit — go 20 km/h over and you pay a fixed roadside fine. Tourists get caught most often on the motorway corridor near Bissau.
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No blood-alcohol figure is published for Guinea-Bissau, unlike the speed tiers that are clearly set. Traffic drives on the right, with limits of 50 km/h in town, 80 km/h on rural roads and 100 km/h on motorways. The emergency numbers are police 117 and ambulance and fire 1313.
Speed limits are 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on rural roads, and 100 km/h on motorways.
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Emergency Numbers in Guinea-Bissau
Police: 117 | Ambulance: 1313 | Fire: 1313
Save these numbers before you start driving. In Guinea-Bissau, emergency calls are free from any phone.
Speed Limits in Guinea-Bissau
The default speed limits for passenger cars in Guinea-Bissau are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on rural roads, and 100 km/h on motorways.
Lorries and other vehicles over 3.5 tonnes have lower limits in Guinea-Bissau, but we could not confirm the figures in an official source, so follow the signs posted for heavy vehicles.
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 Guinea-Bissau 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
Drink-driving is illegal in Guinea-Bissau. Check the current legal blood alcohol limit with local authorities before driving. As a rule, do not drink any alcohol if you plan to drive.
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 Guinea-Bissau’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 Guinea-Bissau.
For detailed tyre law information, see our Tyre Laws in Guinea-Bissau 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
Guinea-Bissau has a tropical climate with a rainy season. 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 Guinea-Bissau
- Download offline maps of Guinea-Bissau 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 Guinea-Bissau
| Road Type | Cars | Trucks (>3.5t) |
|---|---|---|
| Urban | 50 km/h | — |
| Rural | 80 km/h | — |
| Motorway | 100 km/h | — |
Emergency Numbers in Guinea-Bissau
These numbers are free to call and available 24/7. When calling, state your location and the nature of the emergency.
Tyre Laws in Guinea-Bissau
Winter tyre requirements, tread depth rules, and studded tyre regulations.
View tyre regulationsAvoid a fine in Guinea-Bissau
Who pays a driving fine abroad, the hire-car admin-fee trap, and how to appeal.
Read the fine guideDriving in Guinea-Bissau on a foreign licence
Nationality-specific licence, IDP & rules — pick where your licence is from:
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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.
- 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 Guinea-Bissau 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 Guinea-Bissau.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Guinea-Bissau, 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 Guinea-Bissau, 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 Guinea-Bissau 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 Guinea-Bissau for the most current requirements.
Winter tyres in Guinea-Bissau 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 Guinea-Bissau are police 117 and ambulance and fire 1313. 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 Guinea-Bissau. 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 Guinea-Bissau, 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 Guinea-Bissau 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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