Driving in Kenya as a Australia National

Kenya offers safari self-drive and the Great Rift Valley, but left-hand driving, Nairobi traffic, matatu minibuses, wildlife on roads, and unpaved park roads require experience and caution.

Key Things to Know First

IDP Required

Kenya requires an International Driving Permit for foreign visitors. Obtain one in Australia before departure.

How to get an IDP

Same Side of the Road

Both Australia and Kenya drive on the left. No adjustment needed.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Rule	Australia	Kenya	Change?
Traffic side	Left-hand traffic	Left-hand traffic	Same
Speed unit	km/h	km/h	Same
IDP required	—	Yes	Yes
Min. driving age	17	18	Differs
Emergency number	000	999	Different
Road difficulty	Moderate	Challenging	—

Speed Limits in Kenya

Urban

50 km/h

Rural / Open road

80 km/h

Highway / Motorway

100-110 km/h

Documents to Carry in Kenya

Original driving licence from Australia — must be valid and unexpired
International Driving Permit (IDP) — required in Kenya. Obtain from your national motoring association before travelling.
Passport or national ID — carry at all times while driving
Car insurance certificate — verify it covers Kenya before departure
Vehicle registration / rental agreement

Emergency Number in Kenya

999

Primary emergency number in Kenya. Save it before you drive.

Emergency numbers for all countries

Full Kenya Driving Guide

Road rules, toll system, fuel types, parking, regional quirks — everything you need for driving in Kenya.

Read the complete guide