Driving in Monaco means one speed limit - 50 km/h on every road, because the principality has no motorways. But check the boot: a breathalyser kit, reflective vest and warning triangle are compulsory.
Driving in Monaco 2026: 50 km/h and a Breathalyser Kit
Data verified:
3 min readMonaco drives on the right side of the road. The minimum driving age is 18. The general emergency number is 112. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05% BAC. IDP rules depend on your licence; see the licence section below.
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See how Monaco differs from your home country
Driving in Monaco means a single speed limit: the principality covers two square kilometres, has no motorways and no rural roads, so every street is capped at 50 km/h. Blood alcohol is limited to 0.05%, the minimum age is 18, and every car must carry its own breathalyser kit as well as a reflective vest and warning triangle — the kit requirement catches out most drivers arriving from countries that have never asked for one.
Your case: Nobody drives only in Monaco — you arrive through France or Italy, and those legs carry the tolls, stickers and tyre dates the principality itself does not — so assemble the whole route in Plan My Drive rather than looking up the last two kilometres of it.
Emergency Numbers in Monaco
General Emergency: 112 | Police: 112
Save these numbers before you start driving. In Monaco, emergency calls are free from any phone.
Speed Limits in Monaco
There is one default limit for passenger cars in Monaco: 50 km/h. The principality has no motorways and no open rural roads, so the higher national-style limits used elsewhere in Europe simply have nowhere to apply here.
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 Monaco 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 Monaco 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
We found no official winter-tyre rule for Monaco, so fit tyres that suit the season and the roads you plan to drive.
The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm, according to Monaco’s ministerial order.
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 Monaco
- Download offline maps of Monaco 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 Monaco
| Road Type | Cars | Trucks (>3.5t) |
|---|---|---|
| Urban | 50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural | Verify locally | — |
| Motorway | No motorways; city-state with urban roads only | — |
Note: No motorways; city-state with urban roads only
Mandatory Equipment in Monaco
Licence Requirements for Foreign Drivers
UK drivers need the 1968 IDP plus licence (GOV.UK); Canadian licences valid up to 12 months (travel.gc.ca).
Emergency Numbers in Monaco
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 Monaco
Who pays a driving fine abroad, the hire-car admin-fee trap, and how to appeal.
Read the fine guideDriving in Monaco on a foreign licence
Nationality-specific licence, IDP & rules — pick where your licence is from:
Renting a Car in Monaco?
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
- 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.
- IDP answer corrected: a template line told every visitor to carry an IDP; replaced with the sourced licence rule from our country record.
- Aligned the speed figures to TyreMap country data, which records Monaco as having no motorways and only an urban 50 km/h limit; the body, FAQ and how-to steps still published 80 km/h rural and 100 km/h motorway figures that contradicted this page's own opening. Opening rewritten around the 'driving in Monaco' queries, with a Your-case bridge.
- 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).
- Rewrote title and description around the verified figure this page carries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Monaco is a city-state with urban roads only and no motorways, so the default limit for passenger vehicles is 50 km/h throughout. Always follow posted signs, as lower limits apply in tunnels and around the port.
In Monaco, 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.
UK drivers need the 1968 IDP plus licence (GOV.UK); Canadian licences valid up to 12 months (travel.gc.ca).
We found no official winter-tyre rule for Monaco, so fit tyres that suit the season and the roads you plan to drive.
The general emergency number in Monaco is 112. 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 Monaco. 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 Monaco, 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 Monaco 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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