Guide to Driving In Zambia - Drive Safe in Zambia

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Zambia and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.

URBAN SPEED LIMIT

50-60 kph

urban
More info  

RURAL SPEED LIMIT

100 kph

rural
More info  

motorway speed limit

100 kph

speed limit
More info  

Drink Drive Limit

 80mg

drink and drive limit
More info  
urban
You drive in Zambia on the Left side  
urban
The currency in Zambia is ZMK
urban
To rent a car is  23 years and to drive is 16 years of age
urban
Current fuel price in Zambia 1.17 €/Ltr

Driving Laws in Zambia

Driving in Zambia
Pocket guide to driving in Zambia
Profile:
Zambia
Lusaka
ZMK
Driving in Zambia
SPEED: (kph)
50-60
100
100
Speed limit in Zambia
Holiday:
Rush hour in Zambia
Cameras:
YES
YES
Speed cameras in Zambia
FUEL:
1.17
1.10
EUR/Litre
Fuel prices in Zambia
See World Fuel Prices for full statistics
MIN AGE:
16
23
Min driving age in Zambia
DRINK:
80mg
Blood alcohol content
Drink driving in Zambia
EMERGENCY:
999
Emergency phone number in Zambia
DOCUMENT:
Driving documents in Zambia
PHONES:
No
Hands free only
Mobile phone driving in Zambia
SEATBELTS:
Yes
Yes
Seat belt in Zambia

Are there any special requirements for driving or hiring a car in Zambia?

Zambia is going through a transitional period in its politics at the moment and things are tense. If you're travelling there, check out FCO advice before you travel.  The country is an amazing place to explore but you'll definitely need a 4x4, especially during the rains, and local knowledge so take a guide with you or instead, join a guided tour.  The capital Lusaka is a fascinating city but can be chaotic. It's also not the kind of place to be driving around at night.

Rules of the road

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Emergency Services Numbers

Police Police: 999

Police Fire: 999

Police Ambulance: 999

Notes:

DieselUnleaded
Feb , 2024

€ 1.10

€ 1.17

Jan , 2024

€ 1.05

€ 1.05

Dec , 2023

€ 1.14

€ 1.14

Nov , 2023

€ 1.15

€ 1.16

Parking Information

Parking regulations

Parking regulations
 
Parking in many Zambian towns and cities is very haphazard with cars almost seeming abandoned rather than parked. In Lusaka, you will need to be a little more ordered in your parking and should use the municipal garages or parking lots if you want to keep your car safe.
 
Paid parking
 
Paid parking is generally only found in Lusaka and the bigger towns and cities. In these places it’s recommended to use paid parking as it adds an element of safety for your car which can often be open to theft of or from the vehicle. Always use garages at night rather than street parking for your own safety. 
 
Enforcement
 
Enforcement of parking is done by the police and, on the rare occasions when they do enforce parking rules, you can be ticketed or towed away.
 
Disabled parking
 
In Zambia there is little acknowledgement of the needs of disabled drivers and it is up to the individual to negotiate with car parking attendants for a more convenient space. This is often forthcoming with the lubrication of a few coins

Emergency Information

Emergency Information

Police Police: 999

Police Fire: 999

Police Ambulance: 999

The emergency number in Zambia is the UK standard 999 for all emergency services but you can also use 991 for the ambulance and police and 993 for the fire department.

What to do in an emergency

Make sure you have plenty of water and fuel before setting off on journeys in Zambia. If you encounter problems with your car, you may be out of phone range but if not, use the phone number given to you by the car hire company. If you are driving your own vehicle, make sure you’ve got an emergency number you can call.
 
In the event of an accident you should call the police on 991 if it is serious and await their arrival. You will need a report from them for your insurance company or the car hire company. Whilst awaiting their arrival, take photographs of the scene and take the contact details of witnesses. If it is safe to do so, don't move the vehicles.

Handy Guides

World Driving Guides

Road Signs

Handy Phrases

English is the national language and so most visitors should have no trouble being understood

Zambia Fuel Price History

DieselUnleaded
Feb , 2024

€ 1.10

€ 1.17

Jan , 2024

€ 1.05

€ 1.05

Dec , 2023

€ 1.14

€ 1.14

Nov , 2023

€ 1.15

€ 1.16

Oct , 2023

€ 1.21

€ 1.32

Sep , 2023

€ 1.22

€ 1.34

Aug , 2023

€ 1.12

€ 1.22

Jul , 2023

€ 1.24

€ 1.39

Jun , 2023

€ 1.16

€ 1.30

May , 2023

€ 1.21

€ 1.36

Apr , 2023

€ 1.31

€ 1.28

Mar , 2023

€ 1.38

€ 1.34

Month, YearDiesel €/ltrUnleaded €/ltr
Feb , 2024 1.10 1.17
Jan , 2024 1.05 1.05
Dec , 2023 1.14 1.14
Nov , 2023 1.15 1.16
Oct , 2023 1.21 1.32
Sep , 2023 1.22 1.34
Aug , 2023 1.12 1.22
Jul , 2023 1.24 1.39
Jun , 2023 1.16 1.30
May , 2023 1.21 1.36
Apr , 2023 1.31 1.28
Mar , 2023 1.38 1.34

Hiring a Car

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Zambia and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.
Kellie Hodge
Posted by Kellie Hodge
About the Author -

Travel writer, customer service guru, Kellie knows the ins and outs of car rental and always happy to share her knowledge on our blog. Favourite country to visit: Spain.

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